Babar Azam returned as Pakistan Test captain before the West Indies Tests.
During Pakistan's current three-match Test tour of England, where the visitors are down 0-2, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has criticized under-fire skipper Babar Azam for his poor leadership.
In the first two Test matches, Pakistan was soundly defeated, losing by an innings and 103 runs at Leeds and by 194 runs at Lord's. Birmingham is hosting the third Test, and Pakistan has not done well in it as well, scoring 133 in the first innings.
Shoaib, also known as the Rawalpindi Express, claimed Babar lacked leadership skills and had neglected his duties as a captain.
“I think many of the issues stem from the fact that he (Babar) is unable to make the right calls. Had it been me, everyone knows what would have happened. That is a very simple thing. I think Babar's personality is visible in his captaincy, decision-making, and his game, which is why he is now struggling badly,” Akhtar said, as quoted by PTI.
Shoaib said he never expected much from the current Pakistan team in England.
"So, you cannot ask too much from this team, including the captain and the rest of the pack. You can't ask too much. What can you expect from them? I think the investment we made in this system and the confidence we placed in it have failed," he said.
England made 453 runs in their first innings, and Pakistan has done well in the second innings thanks to 95 by Shan Masood and a fighting fifty by Babar Azam, who was dismissed for 76 runs. Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark for the first time in this series and has made 324/8 in their second innings at the time of writing this piece.