Shoaib Akhtar, Virat Kohli
Shoaib Akhtar (Image Credit: Twitter)

Last Update on: March 6th, 2023 at 10:22 am

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made headlines recently for his blistering verbal attacks on captain Babar Azam and the Pakistan team.

Babar is currently taking part in the Pakistan Super League where he is leading the Peshawar Zalmi side.

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Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistani men’s cricket team, is one of the best batters in the modern era across all formats. The 28-year-old has been making significant runs in each of the game’s three forms for a while, yet despite this, he is constantly criticized by everyone.

There were discussions about replacing him from the leadership position after Pakistan lost a three-match Test series at home to England in December of last year. Several experts, fans, and previous greats advocated for the change in captaincy.

Several days ago, Shoaib Akhtar blasted Babar for not speaking decent English, claiming that this is one of the main reasons why Babar has yet to become a “brand” for Pakistan.

Earlier this week, Shoaib Akhtar made another important statement, this time endorsing Azam Khan as captaincy material. In the present Pakistan Super League, Azam has been wreaking havoc on the bowlers.

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“I still remember Babar used to come to the academy”: Shoaib Akhtar

Akhtar told a very touching story involving Babar Azam, recalling the moment when he bowled to him for the first time in the practice nets. Akhtar said that despite his repeated warnings to Babar to avoid hitting him in a straight line, Babar nonetheless struck him.

“I still remember Babar used to come to the academy. Mudassar bhai would accompany him at the time. Once, I told Babar to bat in the nets, and specifically told him to not hit me for a straight drive,” Shoaib Akhtar began as he revealed the story on Suno News.

“But he’s a natural batter who relies on his cover and straight drives. Soon, he hit me for one. Tab maine kaha, ‘main isko chhorunga nahi’ (Then I said, I won’t spare you). Then, Mudassar bhai told Babar to come out varna ye maar dega ball (or else he will hit you),” Shoaib Akhtar revealed.