Wasim Akram questions Babar Azam’s captaincy after England Test defeat

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has questioned Babar Azam’s captaincy after Pakistan suffered a 3-0 defeat against England in the three-match Test series.

England completed a clean sweep by winning the third Test in Birmingham, adding to their victories in the first two matches at Headingley and Lord’s.

Babar missed the first Test due to injury before returning to lead Pakistan in the second Test. He scored eight and six runs in the match as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.

Speaking about Babar’s leadership, Akram said the Pakistan batter should not have taken the captaincy and should have continued playing only as a player.

“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.

Akram made the comments while speaking alongside former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis at a charity fundraising event in Manchester.

Akram also questioned Babar’s claim that he was unaware of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to send seven players home and make changes to the coaching staff following the second Test.

“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 per cent,” he added.

England complete 3-0 series sweep

England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before securing a 194-run victory at Lord’s.

England then won the third Test in Birmingham to complete a 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan.

Following the second defeat, the PCB made major changes to the team, sending seven players home and reshaping the coaching set-up.