WEBDESK: Former Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has stirred debate with his recent comments suggesting that star cricketers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should play only Test matches. According to the former player, both players are more suited to the traditional red-ball format and should step away from One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Kamran Akmal emphasized that players like Babar and Rizwan, who have solid techniques and temperament, can strengthen Pakistan’s Test team. He also stated that excelling in red-ball cricket often helps players perform better in other formats.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Akmal addressed reports that Babar and Rizwan are being permanently sidelined from T20 internationals.
“That’s absolutely the right decision,” Akmal said.
“I believe this should happen because these players are more suited for the longer format of the game. In my opinion, they should now be kept on only for Test matches. Maybe after another six months, they should only be considered for Test cricket, both Babar and Rizwan,” he added.
The former wicketkeeper batter went a step further, expressing doubts about the duo’s continued role in One Day Internationals as well.
“After another six months, they should be sidelined from ODIs, too, because Pakistan hardly plays Test matches these days. No one is even talking about Test cricket. But if any real players are made, they are made through playing Test cricket,” he remarked.
The 43-year-old the foundational value of red-ball cricket, asserting that proficiency in Tests enhances performance across all formats.
“You can’t just play T20 and expect to be great at Test cricket too. If someone plays Test matches, they can handle ODIs and T20s as well,” he said.
Babar Azam’s father responds to Kamran Akmal
Father of star Pakistan batter Babar Azam, Azam Siddique, has issued a fiery response following Kamran Akmal’s controversial comments suggesting that Babar and Mohammad Rizwan should be limited to playing only Test cricket in the future. In his Instagram post, Siddique shared an old photo featuring himself, Babar Azam, and Kamran Akmal, with a caption indirectly addressing Akmal’s remarks.
He reminded the former wicketkeeper, “This child (Babar) never played under your captaincy, but you did play under his captaincy and got out for zero while he scored a century that day. Talking behind the backs of successful people is a compulsion of those who have failed.”
