Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram slammed Babar Azam’s captaincy after the England tour debacle. When Azam was asked at the toss about the massive changes to the squad ahead of the third Test match against England, he said he wasn’t aware about the changes.

After a 194-run loss in the second Test, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were removed from their roles. Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s white-ball coach, was given charge of the Test side ahead of the third and final match at Edgbaston.

Akram questioned Babar Azam’s role as a leader when he was not aware of the team’s situation.

“Babar Azam said he did not know. If you don’t know, then what were you doing here? Tu chhole bechne aaya hai? (Were you here to sell chickpeas)? 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,” Wasim Akram said at an event.

Akram said Babar Azam should not have taken up the captaincy role. PCB had earlier sacked Shan Masood following poor results and Salman Ali Agha led in the opening Test against England when Azam was ruled out with a finger injury.

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

Earlier, former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had also slammed Babar Azam’s captaincy.

“Babar’s personality is visible in his captaincy, decision-making, and his game, which is why he is now struggling badly. He is unable to make the right calls. Had it been me, everyone knows what would have happened. That is a very simple thing,” Shoaib Akhtar said in an interaction on PTV Sports.

Pakistan suffered a 3-0 series loss against England and Azam could only manage 97 runs in two Test matches at an average of 24.25.