Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Shoaib Akhtar Praises Razaullah, Criticises Babar Azam’s Intent
Razaullah played his first Test match for Pakistan against England.
He scored 81 runs very quickly and hit nine sixes.
This helped Pakistan fight back after they were close to losing by an innings.
Shoaib Akhtar praised Razaullah for playing bravely without worrying about protecting his place.
Akhtar compared this with Babar Azam’s slower score of 76 runs from 103 balls.
He said Pakistan needs players who try to attack and express themselves.
Akhtar also supported the decision to replace seven players during the tour.
He believes the changes could produce many more confident players for Pakistan.
Debutant Razaullah scored 81 runs from 63 balls during Pakistan’s second innings against England at Edgbaston.
Razaullah hit nine sixes, including eight against pace, matching the Test debut record for sixes in an innings.
Shoaib Akhtar contrasted Razaullah’s aggressive approach with Babar Azam’s 76 from 103 balls.
Akhtar defended the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to replace seven players midway through the England tour.
He said the changes could help develop hundreds of players who play with greater intent over the next six to seven months.
- Who
- Pakistan debutant Razaullah, captain Babar Azam, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar, and the Pakistan Cricket Board were central to the report.
- What
- Akhtar praised Razaullah’s aggressive debut innings and criticised the perceived lack of intent in Babar’s batting, while defending Pakistan’s mid-tour squad overhaul.
- When
- During the third Test between Pakistan and England, including the match’s third day and Pakistan’s second innings.
- Where
- Edgbaston in Birmingham, England.
- Why
- Akhtar said Pakistan’s earlier players had not delivered or changed their mindset, making a new, more fearless approach necessary.
Akhtar’s Position
Critics’ Position
Replacing seven players mid-tour
Akhtar’s Position
Shoaib Akhtar said the Pakistan Cricket Board made the right and justified decision because the previous players had not delivered or changed their mindset.
Critics’ Position
Many former Pakistani cricketers criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board for making seven changes in the middle of the tour.
Batting intent
Akhtar’s Position
Akhtar presented Razaullah’s attacking 81 as an example of the fearless intent Pakistan needs and questioned why established players could not show similar intent.
Critics’ Position
The report contrasts Razaullah’s aggressive innings with Babar Azam’s 76 from 103 balls, reflecting criticism that Pakistan’s established players lacked sufficient attacking intent.
- Razaullah’s score
- 81 runs from 63 balls on Test debut
- Razaullah’s sixes
- Nine sixes in the second innings, with eight against pace bowling
- Debut record
- He equalled the Test record for most sixes in an innings on debut
- Babar Azam’s score
- 76 runs from 103 balls in Pakistan’s second innings
- Squad changes
- The Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players to England after Pakistan lost the Lord’s Test
- Akhtar’s forecast
- He said roughly 300 to 400 players could be prepared over the next six to seven months
- Officials identified by Akhtar
- Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and selector Aaqib Javed