Shabad Khan sparked widespread controversy when he launched a scathing attack on former Pakistani cricketers like Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf. Ahead of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam expressed sympathy for his teammate Shadab Khan.
Speaking on Zalmi TV, Babar Azam said that if former cricketers said anything aggressively against current cricketers, no one reacted. But as soon as any of the active cricketers retaliated, it became a topic of discussion.
Babar Azam politely hits back at former Pakistani cricketers
To make the situation easier, Azam further said that everyone has their own way of talking. It is possible that Khan might have said something out of anger.
When they speak about things, it is right, but if a current player has said something, it is not right. Anyway, it’s a different kind of game. Shadab said something in anger. Babar Azam said on Zalmi TV, everyone has their own way of speaking.
Furthermore, the 31-year-old admitted that in recent times, Pakistan’s track record in T20 cricket, including the 2026 T20 World Cup, was not good. At a time when the team is struggling to get back on the right track, it is everyone’s duty to support the national team.
“But at the end of the day, you are just fighting among yourselves. There should be an effort to support the Pakistan team. Yes, we did not perform well in the T20 World Cup. We know we did not perform well,” he said.
Personal attacks are taking place: Babar Azam
Social media platforms have become easy access for everyone to express their views. Former cricketers have no hope. With all due respect, the Pakistan batsman mentioned that comparisons are being made between the cricketers of the 90s and the current generation. But sometimes, some comments seem like personal attacks, which is not acceptable.
“There is no comparison. If you talk about the cricketers of the 90s, they are very experienced. They have played more cricket. If they feel we are making mistakes, then we should do the same. But sometimes, personal attacks happen. When that happens, a player thinks of responding,” Babar said.
Shabad Khan showed mirror to former cricketers
In February this year, Shabad Khan had come under fire after he hit back at former cricketers who had heavily criticized current cricketers, saying that those former Pakistan cricketers were never included in the team that defeated arch-rivals India. But the current group of players did so in the 2021 World Cup.
“Our former cricketers have their own opinions. They have performed well for Pakistan and after all, they have never beaten India in the World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup,” Shadab told reporters in February 2026.
“We have beaten India only once in the World Cup. Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup,” he said.
Read more: Babar Azam is ready to become the captain of all formats of Pakistan once again
