On May 30, 2025, Azam Siddique, father of Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam, sharply rebuked former cricketer Kamran Akmal for suggesting Babar should be restricted to Test cricket.
ESPNcricinfo reported that the Babar Azam T20 controversy, ignited by Akmal’s podcast comments, has fueled heated debate.
Akmal argued that Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, who were dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for a New Zealand series earlier this year, are better suited for Test matches. “They should be kept only for Test cricket,” he said, questioning their ODI futures and emphasising Test cricket’s role in developing “real players.” The remarks followed Pakistan’s decision to test younger T20I players, leaving Babar and Rizwan sidelined.
Siddique’s Fiery Response
In an Instagram post, Siddique shared a photo with Babar and Akmal, highlighting that Babar scored a century while Akmal was dismissed for zero during a match under Akmal’s captaincy. “Talking behind the backs of successful people is a compulsion of those who have failed,” Siddique wrote, citing a Turkish proverb to question Akmal’s intentions. The Azam Siddique response has drawn mixed reactions, with some social media users criticising his involvement in Babar’s career.
Akmal urged family members to avoid commenting on players’ careers, citing his restraint during tough times. The Kamran Akmal criticism and Siddique’s retort underscore tensions within Pakistan cricket, particularly around Babar’s T20I exclusion and the Pakistan cricket controversy surrounding team selections.
The Babar Azam Test cricket debate reflects broader discussions on Pakistan’s cricket strategy and the balance between youth and experience. As Babar remains a key figure, the public spat could influence team dynamics and fan sentiment.
