Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar. Image Credits: Twitter

Shoaib Akhtar recently made a bold statement on Babar Azam by saying that he can never be a brand because he doesn’t converse well in English. While the Pakistani skipper has been struggling with his performance in the 8th  edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with 178 runs in six innings. Babar is facing criticism for his team’s and individual performance of him in the ongoing PSL 2023.

Babar Azam
Babar Azam. Image Credits: Twitter

The former Pakistani speedster revealed that he warned Babar to not him for a straight drive-

“I still remember Babar used to come to the academy. Mudassar bhai would accompany him at the time. Once, I told Babar to bat in the nets, and specifically told him to not hit me for a straight drive,” said Akhtar on Suno News.

the 28-year-old has been facing the heat since Pakistan failed to win a single Test at home under his leadership in 2022. The  South Asian nation also recently lost an ODI series to New Zealand on their home soil. While Babar made his debut for his national side in 2015, since then he has been the South Asian side’s top-notch batter in all formats of the game.

“But he’s a natural batter who relies on his cover and straight drives. Soon, he hit me for one. Tab maine kaha, ‘main isko chhorunga nahi’ (Then I said, I won’t spare you). Then, Mudassar bhai told Babar to come out varna ye maar dega ball (or else he will hit you),” he revealed with a laugh.

Pakistan’s all-format skipper is currently leading the Peshawar Zalmi side in PSL 8, Peshawar won the last match against Karachi Kings by 24 runs.

In the PSL 8, points table, Lahore is at the top of the table with six wins out of seven matches it played, while the last editions runner-ups- Sultans are at the second spot with four wins. Zalmi is currently in the 4th spot with six points. Babar Azam-led side will take on Lahore Qalandars on March 7th at Rawalpindi.

Also read: PSL 2023: Now We Are Ready To Give Our Lives For Babar Azam- Shan Masood