Wasim Akram has launched a scathing critique of Babar Azam, questioning his authority and suitability as Pakistan’s Test captain after the skipper admitted to being kept entirely in the dark regarding major squad changes. The explosive outburst followed Babar’s public revelation that he was not consulted when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent seven players home and overhauled the coaching setup midway through their disastrous Test series against England.

The controversy reached a boiling point after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests. Following an innings-and-103-run thrashing at Headingley—where Babar was absent due to injury—and a 194-run loss at Lord’s, where he managed scores of just 8 and 6, the PCB instituted drastic measures. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were abruptly relieved of their duties. Simultaneously, seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha, were sent back to Pakistan. Five uncapped players were subsequently drafted into the squad for the third Test in Birmingham.

When questioned by journalists ahead of the final match at Edgbaston, Babar conceded that the PCB’s sweeping decisions came as a complete surprise to him, stating that the board alone held responsibility for explaining the move. Speaking at a charity event in Manchester alongside Waqar Younis, Akram expressed sheer disbelief at the captain’s detachment from core administrative decisions.

“Were you just there selling chickpeas?” Akram remarked sarcastically, questioning what purpose Babar served if he possessed no say in the dismissal of seven squad members and his own support staff.

The legendary fast bowler stressed that a captain’s role extends far beyond calling at the toss or selecting the playing eleven. A true leader, Akram argued, must stand firmly by his players during crises; an uninformed or powerless captain severely erodes team morale and trust. Akram suggested that Babar should have declined the leadership role altogether or stepped down after the Lord’s defeat to focus entirely on restoring his form with the bat.

England went on to win the Edgbaston Test comfortably, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. The embarrassing defeat, coupled with Babar’s public admission of helplessness, has exposed severe communication breakdowns between the team leadership and the PCB, raising urgent questions about who genuinely holds the reins of Pakistani cricket.