Kamran Akmal Asks Babar Azam’s Father to Stay in Limit

A fresh chapter in Pakistan cricket’s ongoing internal drama unfolded after Kamran Akmal reignited debate over Babar Azam’s future, suggesting the batting star, along with Mohammad Rizwan, be limited to Test cricket. The former wicketkeeper-batter’s remarks, made during a podcast, immediately drew fire—this time from none other than Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddique.

Akmal didn’t hold back in the podcast, calling it “absolutely the right decision” to drop Babar and Rizwan from the T20I squad. He added that their playing style suits longer formats, and even questioned their ODI relevance moving forward. “Maybe in six months, both should only be considered for Test cricket,” he said. He emphasized that Test cricket is the ultimate platform where “real players are made.”

Babar Azam’s father Azam Siddique Responds Sharply, Kamran Hits Back

The comment didn’t go unnoticed. Azam Siddique responded with a pointed Instagram post, sharing an old photograph with Babar and Akmal. He wrote a cryptic caption that seemed to undermine Akmal’s authority, stating, “This child never played under your captaincy, but you played under his.” He also hinted at betrayal, referencing a Turkish proverb about Abel and Cain.

This triggered a counter-response. Kamran Akmal slammed the post, saying respect should be maintained. He reminded Siddique that public discourse should remain factual and boundaries shouldn’t be crossed. “Being silent is not always the answer,” Akmal said. He insisted his opinion was performance-based and not personal, urging Siddique to keep cricket and personal relationships separate.

Cricket or Personal Feuds?

This public back-and-forth has sparked broader discussions in cricket circles—should legends weigh in on team selection, or does it fuel division? More importantly, Akmal’s insistence on limiting Babar to Tests raises strategic questions about how Pakistan plans its formats around its biggest names.

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