New Delhi: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram blasted skipper Babar Azam for his poor leadership during the team’s recently concluded tour of England.
Pakistan suffered a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-match Test series against England, with the defeat further exposing their woes in the longest format.
Pakistan were clean-swept in the three-match Test series despite making multiple changes in their squad after their defeat in the 2nd Test at Lord’s. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent seven players home, overhauling the squad after the Lord’s Test match.
PCB also sacked Pakistan’s Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after the Lord’s Test. However, the changes went in vain as Pakistan suffered a third defeat in a row in the third and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham to lose the Test series 3-0.
When asked about the squad overhaul and the bold move from PCB that took many by surprise, Pakistan skipper Babar said he had no idea why the board decided to send back the players. ‘It was news to me too,’ said Babar when asked for the reason behind PCB’s move, adding that the questions should be redirected to the board.
Taking a dig at the Pakistan skipper, Akram said what was Babar doing on the tour if he had no idea about such a big decision. Akram mocked the Pakistan skipper, arguing that if he was there to ‘sell chickpeas’ he had no idea about PCB’s move.
‘During the third Test in Birmingham, Babar was asked about seven players and the head coach being sent home. He said ‘I had no idea’ toh tu aithe chole bechne aaya hai,’ Akram said during a charity event.
Babar should not have taken Test captaincy: Wasim Akram
Akram also said that Babar should not have taken Test captaincy after Shan Masood was removed as the skipper. The legendary pacer felt either Babar should not have taken over the captaincy or should have stepped down after Pakistan’s defeat in the 2nd Test against England at Lord’s.
‘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… My suggestion is that after the second Test, Babar should have said that he would play only as a player,’ he added.