MANCHESTER: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said Babar Azam should have remained a player instead of taking over the Test captaincy.
Akram made the comments alongside former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis at a charity fundraising event in Manchester.
“I do not want to blame anyone, and I could be wrong as well,” Akram said. “But in my opinion, Babar should not have taken the captaincy. All of this was unnecessary.”
Akram was discussing Pakistan’s Test tour of England, where the team underwent major changes after losing the first two Tests.
During the toss before the third Test in Birmingham, Babar was asked about the decision to send seven players home and make changes to the coaching staff.
The Pakistan captain said he was unaware of the changes.
Recalling the incident, Akram questioned Babar’s role as captain if he did not know about such major decisions.
“Babar Azam said he did not know. If you don’t know, then what were you doing here? Were you here to sell chickpeas?” Akram said sarcastically.
“As a player or as a person, I believe that if your leader or captain does not stand by you, you cannot give 100%,” he added.
Akram Suggests Babar Should Have Stepped Down
Akram said Babar should have stepped away from the captaincy after the second Test and continued the series as a player.
“My suggestion is that after the second Test, Babar should have said that he would play only as a player,” he said.
Babar was appointed Pakistan’s Test captain on July 5, replacing Shan Masood.
He had previously led Pakistan in Test cricket from 2020 to 2023. During that period, he captained the side in 20 Tests, recording 10 wins, six defeats and four draws.
Pakistan drew their two-Test series in the West Indies 1-1 under Babar’s returning leadership.
The team then suffered a 3-0 series defeat in England.
Pakistan Face Major Changes After Two Defeats
England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs.
The hosts then secured a 194-run victory at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Following the second defeat, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the squad and coaching set-up.
Seven players were sent home, while the coaching staff was also reshaped ahead of the third Test.
However, Pakistan could not avoid a series whitewash.
England won the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 victory.
