Wasim Akram never brought me shoes, said Akhtar.
Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar didn't like the sight of ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed carrying drinks and shoes during the first Test between Pakistan and England at Manchester.
Sarfaraz was doing his duty being the 12th man, something which any cricketer would do. But Akhtar feels it was not right to send the ICC Champions Trophy-winning captain with drinks.
Akhtar slammed the team management for the decision and said Sarfaraz shouldn't be made to carry drinks and shoes. He also went on to call him a weak man.
“I didn’t like the visual. If you want to make an example out of a boy from Karachi, then it is wrong. You can’t do this to a player who has led Pakistan for four years and has won Champions Trophy for the country. You have made him carry the shoes. If he has done it himself, then stop him. Wasim Akram never brought shoes for me.
ALSO READ: Misbah-ul-Haq responds after criticism on Sarfaraz Ahmed carrying drinks and shoes
“This shows that Sarfaraz is such a docile and weak man. He must have lead Pakistan in the same way as he carried the shoes. That’s why Mickey Arthur always dominated him. I am not saying carrying the shoes is a problem, but former captain can’t do that,” Akhtar said.
Another former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif shared his view on the matter and questioned Pakistan's team spirit.
"Senior players like Amir and Wahab who are also sitting out, are not even in their kits. They are wearing tracksuits. This is not team spirit, but this greatness of Sarfaraz because he is passionate about the game. This should not have happened," Latif stated.