Wasim Akram Condemns Babar Azam’s Captaincy Following Pakistan’s Troubling England Tour

Pakistan’s Test series in England, held from August 19 to September 13, 2026, concluded with a 3-0 defeat for the visitors. The campaign proved deeply troubling for the team, especially after the second Test at Lord’s. Following the match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dismissed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, while also removing seven players from the squad.

Babar Azam, who assumed the Test captaincy in July 2026 to succeed Shan Masood ahead of the West Indies and England tours, claimed he was unaware of the squad changes. He had no knowledge of the major alterations before the third Test in Birmingham. This lack of awareness drew sharp criticism from former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram.

During an event in Manchester, the former speedster questioned Babar’s decision to captain the side throughout the series.

“I do not want to blame anyone, and I could be wrong as well. But in my opinion, Babar should not have taken the captaincy. All of this was unnecessary,” Akram stated, as reported by Geo News.

Babar appeared disoriented in the final two Tests, failing to guide his team when circumstances became difficult. At the crease, he managed only 97 runs across four innings.

“Babar Azam said he did not know. If you don’t know, then what were you doing here? Were you here to sell chickpeas?” the legendary pacer remarked. He added, “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.”

The legendary fast bowler’s comments underscored his apprehension regarding the timing and judgment of Babar’s return to the captaincy.

Akram argued that Babar should never have reclaimed the captaincy after Shan Masood had previously held the position. The former great believed that stepping down during the England tour would have been the most appropriate course of action. Rather than continuing as captain through the final Test at Edgbaston, Akram felt Babar should have resigned from the role after the second Test defeat and participated in the third match solely as a player.

“My suggestion is that after the second Test, Babar should have said that he would play only as a player,” Akram added.

Babar’s performance throughout the series was inconsistent. He posted three single-digit scores before managing 76 in the final innings at Edgbaston, although Pakistan still lost that match. During his earlier captaincy tenure from 2020 to 2023, he compiled a record of 10 wins, 6 losses, and 4 draws across 20 Tests. Prior to the England tour, Babar had been named Player of the Series in West Indies, scoring two fifties and 193 runs as Pakistan drew the series 1-1.

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