Pakistan Cricket has once again come into the center of debate after the former great fast bowler -Shoaib Akhtar questioned Babar AzamReputation as a “superstar”. With Pakistan set to begin a crucial Test tour of the West Indies later this month, Akhtar’s comments have reignited discussions about the captain’s ability to deliver consistent match-winning performances when the team needs him most.
Shoaib Akhtar criticizes Babar Azam’s “superstar” status
Akhtar did not hold back in assessing Babar’s status in Pakistan cricket. The former fast bowler argued that individual talent alone is not enough to achieve superstar status and stressed that players should be evaluated by their ability to win games for the national team. The comments come after a period in which Babar has struggled to maintain the high standards that had previously established him as one of the world’s leading batsmen. His prolonged decline in form led to Pakistan’s inconsistent performances, placing additional scrutiny on the captain, who has long been considered the cornerstone of the batting line-up.
“You made a superstar out of a player who couldn’t win you a single game,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by NDTV.
While Babar has shown encouraging signs of returning to form in recent matches, Akhtar believes that the right-handed batsman still has work to do before he can regain his place among the top players of the game. According to the former fast bowler, the Pakistan captain should take more responsibility in pressure situations and guide the team to victory regularly instead of just contributing runs.
Also read: Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar chosen the greatest cricketer of all time
Signs of improvement after difficult times
Despite the criticism, Babar’s recent performances show that he is moving in the right direction. During Pakistan’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, the stylish batsman scored 115 runs in two matches, registering a highest score of 68 and an average of 57.50. He continued that momentum into the ODI series against Australia, where he scored 125 runs in three matches. His best innings of 69 helped him finish the series with an average of 41.66, showing the consistency that was missing during his weak spells.
Although these numbers indicate gradual progress, expectations from Babar remain exceptionally high. As Pakistan’s captain and leading batsman, he is expected to not only score runs but also deliver decisive performances that influence the outcome of the match in the team’s favour.
Babar will have an immediate opportunity to answer his critics when Pakistan tour the Caribbean for a two-Test series against the West Indies. The series in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6 will be an important test of both his leadership and batting form. The challenge will not end here. After the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will travel to England for a three-Test series from August 19 to September 13. Back-to-back overseas assignments will play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s Test campaign, with Babar’s performances likely to be closely scrutinised.