WATCH: ‘Tu Chhole Bechne Aaya Hai?’ Wasim Akram Publicly Humiliates Babar Azam - ABP Live English

Wasim Akram has taken a sharp swipe at Babar Azam after the Pakistan captain admitted he was unaware of major squad changes during the England Test series. Akram questioned how a captain could remain uninformed while seven players were sent home and the coaching staff was changed midway through the tour.

Babar’s response at the toss during the final Test drew criticism after he said he did not know about the decisions taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Akram reacted strongly to the admission, questioning how Babar could lead Pakistan while remaining unaware of major developments involving his own players and coaching staff.

The former Pakistan captain then delivered a sarcastic remark, asking Babar whether he had come to the tour to sell chickpeas instead of leading the team.

🚨 Wasim Akram on Babar Azam captaincy:“I don’t want to blame anyone,I think Babar should never have taken the captaincy.After 2nd Test Babar should have said he would play only as a player. If your leader or captain doesn’t have your back, you can’t give 100%.” pic.twitter.com/NEefW2ZTgg

Akram argued that players need their captain to stand behind them, particularly during difficult situations, because uncertainty from the leader can affect the team’s confidence.

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The legendary fast bowler also suggested Babar should never have accepted the Test captaincy, especially after Pakistan suffered another defeat against England during the ongoing series.

Akram said Babar could have voluntarily given up the captaincy after the second Test and continued with Pakistan solely as a player.

According to Akram, taking that route could have avoided unnecessary complications surrounding Babar’s leadership while allowing him to focus entirely on his batting.

Babar had been restored as Pakistan’s Test captain earlier this year after Shan Masood was removed following a difficult run of results.

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His return to leadership came despite Babar having struggled to establish himself as a regular member of Pakistan’s Test playing eleven during the previous year.

Akram’s comments came during a period of considerable instability for Pakistan cricket, with the PCB making major changes while the England series was still underway.

The PCB sent seven players back from England after Pakistan lost the opening two Tests, adding another layer of controversy to an already difficult campaign.

Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed during the series, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke brought in as replacements.

The scale and timing of those changes created considerable uncertainty around the Pakistan camp, particularly with the team still having another Test to play.

Babar was subsequently questioned about the developments at the toss before the final Test and said he had no knowledge of what had happened.

That response became the focus of Akram’s criticism, with the former Pakistan skipper arguing that leadership requires awareness of important decisions affecting the entire squad.

Akram is not the only former Pakistan cricketer to question Babar’s leadership during the team’s troubled England campaign.

Shoaib Akhtar also criticised Babar’s decision-making, arguing that his personality was reflected in his captaincy and performances during a difficult period.

Rashid Latif went further, questioning why Babar remained captain after several players were sent home and major changes were made to Pakistan’s coaching setup.

Latif argued that Babar should have resigned and accused the Pakistan captain of allowing himself to remain in a difficult leadership position.

Pakistan eventually completed a 3-0 Test series defeat against England, increasing pressure on the team’s leadership, selection process and wider cricketing structure.

Akram criticized Babar Azam because the captain admitted he was unaware of major squad and coaching changes during the England Test series. Akram questioned how a leader could be uninformed about such significant developments.

Seven players were sent home, and the head coach and bowling coach were replaced midway through the series. Babar Azam stated he had no knowledge of these decisions.

Akram suggested Babar should never have accepted the Test captaincy or should have stepped down after the second Test. He believed Babar could have continued playing solely as a player.

Yes, Shoaib Akhtar and Rashid Latif also questioned Babar's captaincy. Latif even suggested that Babar should have resigned from his leadership role.

Babar Azam was restored as Pakistan's Test captain earlier this year. This decision followed the removal of Shan Masood from the captaincy after a difficult period.

Prateek Thakur is a Copy Editor at ABP Live English, reporting on major sporting events while spotlighting the human stories of athletes that matter.

You can reach out to him at prateekt@abpnetwork.com.

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