Out-of-favour Pakistan batter Umar Akmal has responded to Babar Azam's claim that his cousin had refused to give him a “pair of joggers” during his early cricketing days.

Earlier this year, Babar spoke in detail about his early struggles during an interview with former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, and also touched upon the incident related to joggers.

"I asked my cousin to lend me a pair of joggers if he had it but he refused saying he didn't have one [pair of joggers]," Babar had said.

"I realised that I shouldn't have said this. I shouldn't have asked for the shoes," the current Pakistan captain had further added.

Babar Azam’s remarks had become a topic of discussion and his father Azam Siddique had to issue a clarification over the statement.

"A child would have asked for [the joggers] and the other might not have them or he didn't give [for whatever reasons], it is not a big deal," his father wrote on his Instagram profile.

Now, Umar Akmal – one of Babar's cousins – has reacted to the Pakistan skipper’s comments, saying he has no idea which of the cousins denied to give their shoes.

"I don't know which of our cousins refused to give shoes to Babar," he said in an interview with Pak Tv, as quoted by Geo.

“We have always helped our relatives who wanted to play cricket. I have never said no to anyone. People who are close to me, know it very well,” Akmal added.

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, recently completed a home series against Australia. The hosts lost the three-match Test series (1-0), won the ODI series (2-1) before losing the one-off T20I.