Summary Akram said a captain must stand by his players, arguing that a player cannot give his best if he feels that his leader or captain is not supporting him
(Web Desk) - Former Pakistan Test captain Wasim Akram has called Babar Azam’s decision to take charge of the national Test side as a mistake, saying the batter should have continued playing only as a player.
Speaking at a charity fundraising event in Manchester alongside Waqar Younis, Akram said he did not want to blame anyone and acknowledged that he could be wrong in his assessment.
“I think Babar Azam should not have taken the captaincy. It was unnecessary,” Akram said.
He recalled an incident during the toss for the third Test when Babar was asked about changes involving seven players and the coaching staff. According to Akram, Babar responded that he did not know about the changes.
Akram said a captain must stand by his players, arguing that a player cannot give his best if he feels that his leader or captain is not supporting him.
In his view, Babar should have decided after the second Test to continue with the team solely as a player rather than taking on the captaincy.
Akram said leadership carries additional responsibilities and that the circumstances following the second Test should have prompted Babar to reconsider the decision.
