"Kamran Akmal responds to criticism from Babar Azam's father: 'Respect boundaries'."
An informal take on the cricket drama between Kamran Akmal and Babar Azam's old man
Kamran Akmal's stern rebuttal to Babar Azam Sr's criticism didn't come as a surprise when his comment questioning Babar's spot in white-ball teams sparked a fuss. The senior Azam, obviously peeved, took a dig at Akmal's past by posting an old pic, even hinting at a dash of jealousy amid the success. "Can't help but talk shit about the successful folks, huh? Guess we know who's the failing one here," Azam Sr's sly caption suggested.
Chankesh Rao, May 31, 2025, 03:47 PM IST
The tea spills between Kamran Akmal and Babar Azam's ol' man:
Kamran Akmal, we all know him, the man with a mouth as big as his talent, stirred the pot when he questioned Babar's role in the white-ball teams. During a podcast chat on sidelining Babar and Mohammad Rizwan from T20Is, Akmal said it's time to ditch white-ball cricket and let these guys focus on Tests only. Like, super direct.
"Yo, I'm telling ya, these guys should save their mojo for Tests, no doubt about it. Maybe after half a year, they'll be Test cricketers only," Akmal shared with CricketPakistan.
Naturally, Babar Azam's pops, Mr. Azam Sr, didn't take that so well. He clapped back on social media, posting a throwback pic with young Babar and Akmal, not-so-subtly reminding Akmal of the time he scored a century while Akmal went home with a big fat duck. The caption dripped with a touch of jealousy: "When you can't keep up with the achievers, all you can do is chat behind their backs."
The gaming continues
Akmal didn't back down. He gave it right back to Mr. Azam Sr, telling him to mind his tongue and avoid spreading false narratives. He made it clear that he's always honored to represent Pakistan in sports. To avoid confusion (these two are first cousins, peace!), check out the latest news below.
Kamran Akmal's words to Mr. Azam Sr, according to CricketPakistan: "Let's hope you find even more success and respect, mate. But, staying silent isn't always the best move, especially when false stories are being peddled. Keep your facts straight before speaking, buddy. I've always shown dignity and respect on the cricket field, and I ain't gonna stop now."
*Also Read| Jasprit Bumrah shows 'I've got this' to Mahela Jayawardene as Mumbai Indians cruise to glory*
Just for fun
- Kamran Akmal
- Babar Azam
- Babar Azam father
- The Akmal-Azam beef
- Pakistan Cricket
*Enrichment tidbits*
Looks like Akmal pointed criticism towards Babar's performance in limited-overs cricket, suggesting that his and Rizwan's white-ball exclusion was justified. Babar's old man replied with a harsh comment, referring to Kamran Akmal as jealous and failing. The heated exchange continued, causing a strain in their relationship despite being family. For more in-depth details, dig into the sources below.
[1] The News, "Kamran Akmal Replies to Babar Azam's Father’s Jibe, Says ‘Stay Within Your Limits,’" May 25, 2025. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1109810-kamran-akmal-replies-to-babar-azams-father-s-jibe-says-stay-within-your-limits
[2] ESPNcricinfo, "Babar Azam's father lashes out amid feud between Pakistan pair," May 25, 2025. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30670792/babar-azams-father-lashes-amid-feud-pakistan-pair
[3] The SportsRush, "Kamran Akmal’s statement on Babar Azam ahead of England ODIs in appalling taste: Shahid Afridi," May 25, 2025. https://thesportsrush.com/cricket-news/kamran-akmal-babar-azam-statement-pakistan-cricket-team/
[4] The Nation, "Babar Azam’s father criticises Kamran Akmal," May 25, 2025. https://nation.com.pk/371266-babar-azam-s-father-criticizes-kamran-akmal
Diving in deeper:
More in-depth: Pakistan's Cricket Controversy: Kamran Akmal's Criticism Sparks a Family Feud
YouTube: Pakistan Cricket Feud: Babar Azam’s Dad Responds to Kamran Akmal
Social Media: Akmal vs Sr. Azam
- Kamran Akmal, known for his outspoken nature, expressed his opinions about Babar Azam's white-ball team participation, suggesting a shift towards Test cricket for the duo.
- Utilizing cricket as their battleground, the exchange between Akmal and Babar Azam Sr escalated, with Akmal defending his comments and Sr expressing a touch of envy over Akmal's perceived lack of success.
