Interim head coach Aqib Javed, who addressed the media after practice, did not give any specific reason for Azam's absence, saying that the former captain chose to rest.

In the Champions Trophy 2025 match, Pakistan's Babar Azam became the fastest from his country to score 1,000 runs in ICC ODI events, although he only managed 23 runs against India. Babar's early dismissal was significant as Pakistan aimed to stay in the tournament after losing to New Zealand,

Babar Azam has the second-worst average against India in his ODI career. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Babar was once again dismissed cheaply after getting a start.