Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has criticised Babar Azam’s decision to take charge of the national Test team, saying the batter should have continued playing as a player.
Speaking at a charity fundraising event in Manchester alongside former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, Akram said Babar should not have accepted the Test captaincy.
“I think Babar Azam should not have taken the captaincy. It was unnecessary,” Akram said.
However, Akram said he did not want to blame anyone and acknowledged that his assessment could be wrong.
He recalled an incident during the toss of the third Test, when Babar was asked about changes involving seven players and the coaching staff.
According to Akram, Babar responded that he was unaware of the changes.
Akram said a captain must stand by his players, adding that a player cannot perform at his best if he feels that his captain or leader does not support him.
He said Babar should have decided after the second Test to continue with the team solely as a player instead of taking on the captaincy.
Akram added that leadership comes with additional responsibilities and said the circumstances after the second Test should have prompted Babar to reconsider his decision.