Ever since Pakistan crashed out of the Asia Cup 2022 despite reaching the finals, criticism is coming towards Pakistan skipper Babar Azam from all quarters. Top-seeded batter Babar Azam had a horrific outing in the continental tournament as the quality batter could only score 68 runs in six innings with a best of 30 against Sri Lanka in a Super 4 match.
The Pakistan skipper didn't just fail with the bat but some of his tactics as a captain too costed the team heavily. Despite failing to provide solid foundation to the side, Babar continued to open the innings and kept Fakhar Zaman at No. 3. While the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Salman Butt, and Moin Khan have already raised fingers on the captaincy skills of the Pakistan captain, wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal had in fact told Babar not to consider taking up the captaincy instead concentrate on his batting.
In his latest interaction, Akmal revealed that when the Pakistan skipper was going for a toss, he had told him to focus on his batting and reach the level of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith before taking up the captaincy role. "During a T20I in Faislabad when Babar was walking out for the toss, I got to know that he is being made captain. I clearly told him that now is the not the right time for you to become captain. Give your best performance as a batter in next 2-3 years. The batting line-up is depended on you. Reach Virat Kohli and Steve Smith level. By then, you will have 35-40 centuries under your belt," Akmal said.
"Moment Sarfaraz leaves, you will be next in line. But now is the right time, I told him back in the day, but it was his decision. Those who were close to him, must have spoken to him and advised him to take up captaincy," Kamran added during a YouTube show.