Pakistan captain Babar Azam has hit back at the former speedster Shoaib Akhtar for his “average people” comments on the current team following their whitewash at the hands of a second-string England team in the recent three-match ODI series on July 13.
After Pakistan’s 0-3 ODI whitewash, Shoaib had criticized the national team’s “shameful” performance by saying Pakistan cricket is being run by “average people”, hence it “brings average people” and it is wrong to “expect extraordinary things” from “average people”.
He also said there is no star in the current team to inspire the youngsters.
Responding to the legendary pacer’s remarks, Azam suggested that people should ask Shoaib himself “who a star is and who isn't” while insisting that his players are giving their 100 percent while representing the country.
Babar was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan on Wednesday, “I think he [Shoaib Akhtar] doesn’t think so, but all the players are giving their 100 percent everywhere. I think you should ask him who a star is and who isn't. I can't argue or give comments on this.”
Reflecting back at Pakistan’s performances in the recent ODI series in England, the 26-year-old blamed poor batting for losing the first two ODIs while lost the final ODI because of the bowling and fielding.
He signed off by saying, “In the first two matches, our batting let us down. We lost early wickets in the first ten overs. We didn’t have momentum because of that. I have said it before as well that we lost the match today because of bowling and fielding.”
