Islamabad, Mar 08, 2025: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has commented on the recent social media controversy involving Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddique.
Siddique had criticized ex-cricketers following Babar’s exclusion from Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
Babar, who has faced intense scrutiny for his recent performances, managed just 87 runs in two innings during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
His omission from the squad led Siddique to express disappointment on social media, questioning the selectors’ decision and criticizing former players for their remarks. He also defended his right to speak as Babar’s mentor and father.
However, Siddique’s statements received backlash from former captains, including Basit Ali and Rashid Latif, who deemed them inappropriate.
Addressing the controversy, Kamran Akmal, who is also Siddique’s nephew, advised cricketers’ family members to stay out of such discussions.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Akmal mentioned that during his playing days, he instructed his family not to publicly respond to criticism. He emphasized that handling criticism is solely the player’s responsibility.
Akmal also cautioned against making remarks against cricketing institutions, stating that such statements do not benefit the players.
