Babar Azam ‘not playing for team’: Kamran Akmal makes bold claim on Pakistan batter after duck on T20I return in PAK vs SA
Pakistan’s return to T20I in Rawalpindi following the Asia Cup 2025 final defeat to India didn’t go as planned.
Facing South Africa, the hosts crumbled to a 55-run defeat in the series opener — a result that raised fresh concerns about form and intent.
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Babar Azam’s comeback to the T20 side for the first time in 2025 after being dropped from the Asia Cup squad, ended in disappointment, with the former captain dismissed for a second-ball duck.
His performance, and Pakistan’s overall showing, drew criticism from former wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal, who questioned both Babar’s approach and the team’s selection decisions.
Kamran Akmal accuses Babar Azam of ‘playing for himself’
Speaking on The Game Plan show on YouTube after the match, Akmal didn’t hold back. He claimed that Babar’s short stay at the crease reflected a self-serving mindset rather than a team-first approach.
“The way Babar got out today, he was not playing for the team. He just wanted to prove something to the coach — to show that he can change the label that’s been put on him,” Akmal said.
He added that Babar needed to focus on playing proper cricketing shots and spend time at the crease before going for big hits.
“You can’t score runs by swinging your bat like that. Babar should play his natural shots, spend 8-10 balls to get in, then go big,” Akmal explained.
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Akmal also pointed out Babar’s recent struggles, saying that the star batter has not crossed 50 in his last six T20I innings.
“His highest in the last six innings is 41. That’s not the standard of Babar Azam. If he is back in the team after a year, he has to justify his place,” he said.
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The former cricketer also questioned Pakistan’s team selection, suggesting that decisions were being made based on net sessions rather than actual form.
“It feels like the playing XI is chosen from net performances, not real match form,” Akmal concluded.
When is the Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd T20I?
Pakistan’s defeat to a second-string South Africa side has put the team under immediate scrutiny. With criticism mounting over intent and selection, the focus will now be on how Babar and the management respond in the next game.
The second T20I match between Pakistan and South Africa will be played in Lahore on Friday, October 31 with the match starting at 8:30 p.m. IST.
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