Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has responded to Shoaib Akhtar’s sharp remarks about the Pakistani national team amid the white-ball series against hosts England. Azam was a star turnout for the Asian giants against England in the third and final One Day International (ODI) contested at the Edgbaston on Tuesday. However, Azam’s stupendous knock went in vain as Pakistan lost the high-scoring clash and the three-match series to a second-string England side. 

Speaking at a traditional press conference after the 3rd ODI between Green Army and the Three Lions, Azam was asked about Akhtar’s recent remarks about the Pakistani national team. Nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, the legendary fast bowler has become a staunch critic of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its players after his international retirement

Akhtar had opined that the current Pakistani side hardly features inspiring players and the recent performances of the Green Army can only decrease the fan following of the national team. Responding to Akhtar’s latest remarks about the Pakistani white-ball squad, skipper Azam hit back at the former pacer and stressed that his players are giving their 100 percent while representing the national team.

I think he [Shoaib Akhtar] doesn’t think so, but all the players are giving their 100 per cent everywhere. I think you should ask him who a star is and who isn’t. I can’t argue or give comments on this,” Azam was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan. Azam, who scored his highest ODI score (158 off 139 balls) in the 3rd ODI also reflected on his team’s performances in the recently concluded series.

Azam feels that his side managed to put up enough runs on the board although Pakistan were outclassed by the Ben Stokes-led side in the thrilling contest. “In the first two matches, our batting let us down. We lost early wickets in the first ten overs. We didn’t have momentum because of that. I have said it before as well that we lost the match today because of bowling and fielding,” he added.