Instead of looking down on Babar Azam, people should motivate him, says Kamran Akmal

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

Men’s Sr Hockey Nationals to be played in division-based format from April 4

The 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship, set to take place from April 4 to

Mensik denies Djokovic 100th title in Miami final

KIPG: Son of a vegetable vendor, Bihar’s Jhandu Kumar eyes Worlds, 2028 Paralympics

Hardik Singh credits hard work and team unity for receiving HI Midfielder of the Year award

Djokovic, Alcaraz land in same half of Miami draw

India to host 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships from March 29 to 31

MORE...

Instead of looking down on Babar Azam, people should motivate him, says Kamran Akmal

Last Updated : 12 Sep 2020 07:12:03 PM IST

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has lashed out at those criticising Babar Azam, saying it's a great tragedy that instead of motivating the premier batsman, people were finding faults in the performance of country's number one batsman.

On the recent tour of England, Azam was not at his usual best as he could manage 69 runs in three rain-marred Tests and 56 runs in the two completed T20I matches. While Pakistan lost the three-match series 0-1, they were able to draw the three-match T20I series.

"An even greater tragedy is that people have started to criticise our number one batsman, Babar Azam, saying that he isn't scoring runs at a fast-enough rate or isn't winning enough games," Akmal said in an interview to Pakpassion.net.

"What is becoming of us? If we wish to improve things then instead of looking down on a player like Babar, we should spend our energy motivating him.

"But once again, I feel that the team management needs to make sure that all players in the squad are looked after and given confidence instead of preferring to concentrate and spend energies on a select few who are their favourites," he added.

Azam, who leads Pakistan in the limited-overs cricket, is currently ranked fifth in Tests, third in ODIs and second in T20Is.