Wasim Akram Questions Babar Azam’s Decision to Return as Pakistan Test Captain

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has questioned Babar Azam's decision to return as Test captain, saying the star batter should have continued playing solely as a player.

Key points

• PCB Expands School Cricket Programme to 1, 400 Schools in 100 Districts.
• Babar Azam was appointed Pakistan's Test captain on July 5, replacing Shan Masood ahead of the tours of the West Indies and England.
• Pakistan drew the two-Test series in the West Indies 1-1 under Babar before suffering a 3-0 whitewash in England.
• England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before securing a 194-run victory at Lord's.
• Mohammad Rizwan Was Asked to Hand Over His Phone For Pakistan's Sake.

Wasim Akram created the remarks while speaking alongside former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis at a charity fundraising event in Manchester.

"I do not want to blame anyone, and I could be wrong as well, " Akram remarked. "But in my opinion, Babar should not have taken the captaincy. All of this was unnecessary."

His comments came in reference to Pakistan's recent Test tour of England, where the team underwent major changes after losing the opening two matches of the three-Test series.

Ahead of the third Test in Birmingham, Babar was asked at the toss regarding the decision to send seven players home and produce changes to the coaching staff. The Pakistan captain remarked he was unaware of the developments.

Wasim Akram questioned how a captain could remain unaware of such major decisions involving the team.

"Babar Azam remarked he did not know. If you don't know, then what were you doing here? Were you here to sell chickpeas?" Akram remarked sarcastically.

He continued that players cannot be anticipated to perform at their best if they do not feel backed by their captain.

"As a player or as a person, I believe that if your leader or captain does not stand by you, you cannot give 100 percent, " he remarked.

Wasim Akram additionally suggested that Babar should have stepped down from the captaincy after the second Test and continued the tour as a player.

"My suggestion is that after the second Test, Babar should have said that he would play only as a player, " he continued.

Babar Azam was appointed Pakistan's Test captain on July 5, replacing Shan Masood ahead of the tours of the West Indies and England. He had previously led Pakistan in the format from 2020 to 2023, overseeing 20 Tests with 10 wins, six defeats, and four draws.

England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before securing a 194-run victory at Lord's. After the second defeat, the Pakistan Cricket Board produced sweeping changes, sending seven players home and reshaping the coaching setup.

For context, the changes failed to reverse Pakistan's fortunes, with England winning the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets to complete the series sweep. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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