Were you here to sell chickpeas? Wasim Akram slams Babar Azam over England tour chaos

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram criticized Babar Azam’s leadership during the England tour, questioning why he took the Test captaincy in the first place.

Speaking alongside former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis at a charity event in Manchester, Akram was particularly critical of Babar’s claim that he was unaware of the major changes that had been made to the Pakistan team and coaching staff after the first two Tests.

Pakistan had lost the opening two Tests before that PCB sent home seven players and made changes in the coaching staff. Babar was asked about the changes during the draw ahead of the third Test in Birmingham. He said the development was news to him as well and directed questions towards the PCB.

Akram was not impressed with Babar’s reply. “Babar Azam said he didn’t know. If you don’t know, then what were you doing here? Were you here to sell chickpeas?” said Akram.

The former Pakistan captain also questioned how the players can perform at their best when they don’t feel that their captain is standing by them. “As a player or as a person, I believe that if your leader or captain is not standing by you, you cannot give 100 percent,” he added.

Akram felt that Babar should have stepped down as captain after Pakistan’s second defeat and continued to play only as a batsman.

“I don’t want to blame anyone and I could be wrong too. But in my opinion, Babar should not have taken over as captain. All this was unnecessary,” he said. “My suggestion is that after the second Test, Babar should have said that he will play only as a player,” added Akram.

BABAR’S RETURN TO EXAMINATION

Babar replaced Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain on 5 July. It marked his return to the role after previously leading the team in Tests between 2020 and 2023. During his first stint, Babar captained Pakistan in 20 Tests, winning 10, losing 6 and drawing 4.

Pakistan began their second stint with a 1-1 draw in the West Indies before traveling to England. However, England’s series quickly slipped away from Pakistan. Ben Stokes’ side won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before beating Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s.

These two defeats forced the PCB to make major changes. Seven players were sent home and the coaching staff was reshuffled ahead of the third Test. The changes made little difference.

England beat Pakistan by eight wickets at Edgbaston to complete the series 3–0 and put Babar’s leadership under further scrutiny.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

20 Sep 2026 17:18 IST