Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Wasim Akram Criticises Babar Azam’s Captaincy After Pakistan’s England Tour
Pakistan changed several players and coaches during its Test series in England.
Seven players and two coaches were removed after the second Test.
Pakistan then lost the series by three matches to zero.
Babar Azam said he did not know about the changes beforehand.
He said questions should be asked to the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Former captain Wasim Akram criticized Babar for not knowing about the decisions.
Akram used the phrase “Were you here to sell chickpeas?”
to make his point.
He said Babar should either have refused the captaincy or played only as a regular player after the second loss.
Pakistan lost its three-match Test series against England 3-0.
The Pakistan Cricket Board removed seven players and coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul after the second Test.
Babar Azam said the squad changes were “news to me too” and directed questions to the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Wasim Akram questioned how Babar could remain unaware of such major team decisions.
Akram said Babar should have declined the Test captaincy or stepped down after Pakistan’s second defeat.
- Who
- Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram criticised Pakistan captain Babar Azam over his handling of team changes.
- What
- Akram questioned Babar’s leadership after Pakistan lost its Test series against England 3-0.
- When
- During Pakistan’s three-match Test series against England and at a charity event on Sunday.
- Where
- During Pakistan’s tour of England; Akram made his comments at a charity event.
- Why
- Babar said the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to remove seven players and coaches was also news to him, which Akram viewed as a leadership failure.
Wasim Akram’s criticism
Babar Azam’s response
Awareness of team decisions
Wasim Akram’s criticism
Wasim Akram argued that a captain should know about major decisions involving the squad and coaches.
Babar Azam’s response
Babar Azam said the changes were “news to me too” and said questions should be directed to the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Whether Babar should have led
Wasim Akram’s criticism
Akram said Babar should have rejected the Test captaincy or stepped down after Pakistan’s second defeat.
Babar Azam’s response
Babar continued in the captaincy during the series; the articles do not report a separate explanation from him about whether he should have resigned.
- Series result
- Pakistan lost the three-match Test series against England 3-0.
- Squad changes
- Seven players were removed from the squad after the second Test.
- Coaches removed
- Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were removed as coaches.
- Babar’s statement
- Babar Azam said the changes were “news to me too.”
- Akram’s criticism
- Wasim Akram questioned how Babar could be unaware of major team decisions.
- Akram’s recommendation
- Akram said Babar should have declined the captaincy or stepped down after the second defeat.
