Islamabad: Former cricketer Wasim Akram has rubbished reports of any rift between him and current Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. In an exclusive interview with the biggest website of Pakistan cricket Cricket Pakistan in Dubai, Akram said that Babar is like a son to him and slammed the journalists for spreading fake news regarding them. “I was never upset with Babar. There are a few journalists sitting at home who are making these stories. Their job is to be on Twitter only. They won't eat food, they won't have tea, they are on Twitter 24/7.

I haven't met them even once," said Wasim. Wasim, bowling coach of Karachi Kings, also added that the decision to trade Babar to Peshawar Zalmi was taken by owners and he was not involved in it. "Trades are very common in league cricket. It's not my team, it's the owner's team," said Wasim to Cricket Pakistan. I keep talking to Babar regularly. He's like my own son. Why would I be upset with him? I fully support him," he added. Akram also emphasised that in the current situation, we should support the captain. Babar Azam's experience is still less; removing him will not do anything for the team, but supporting him will make a difference. “We have to support our captain. (I'm saying this because) I've played under 7 captains. If our captain is inexperienced right now, removing him won't do any good. But supporting him will. We don't need enemies, our own people are enough. I'm seeing how people are criticising Babar left, right, and centre. It's embarrassing. Please stop making fun of yourself. It genuinely hurts me,” he concluded.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 30 2023

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