Aqib Javed calls out Babar Azam for the accountability of bad performance?

Former Pakistan cricketer and PCB high-performance director Aqib Javed has strongly criticised the team’s performances against England, questioning both the selection decisions and the lack of competitiveness shown during the first two Tests.

With Pakistan already 2-0 down in the three-match Test series, Aqib said the team had failed to compete in either of the first two matches and stressed that there is now only one Test remaining on the tour.

“Two Test matches have come and gone and the team has not competed in any way. There’s one Test still to go,” Aqib said.

Aqib questions bowling combination

Aqib particularly questioned Pakistan’s decision not to include young fast bowler Ubaid Shah, who he believes could have added much-needed pace to the attack.

According to Aqib, Pakistan had several options available, including an all-rounder, a second wicketkeeper and Ubaid, who can bowl at close to 140kph. However, he claimed those changes were not being made despite his concerns.

“I spoke to the captain [Babar Azam] and coach and asked them to put Ubaid in because the other bowlers — Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad — are all similarly paced,” he said.

Aqib argued that having at least one genuinely fast bowler can significantly change the composition of a bowling attack.

“One fast bowler changes the composition of your attack,” he said.

Calls for changes in the playing XI

Aqib also criticised the balance of Pakistan’s side, pointing out that none of the top seven batters provided a bowling option.

He suggested that Pakistan should have included an all-rounder while also bringing Ubaid Shah into the XI.

“I understand dropping Agha, who’s out of form, but you should have played Ghazi Ghori instead of Rizwan [as the wicketkeeper]. Someone had to take action,” Aqib said.

His comments come amid growing criticism of Pakistan’s team selection following their disappointing results in England.

‘The world is laughing at us’

Aqib delivered an even stronger message when assessing Pakistan’s overall performance, saying the team’s inability to compete has become a source of embarrassment.

“The world is laughing at us because we can’t even compete,” he said.

He added that the message being sent to the players recalled to the squad should be clear: they must raise their level during important tours and show greater fight on the field.

“The message we’re sending to the recalled players is that you have to raise your game on important tours and compete, and we should be able to see some effort,” Aqib said.

With Pakistan now facing a series defeat and only one Test remaining, Aqib’s remarks put further pressure on the captain, coaching staff, management and selectors to address the team’s shortcomings and produce a stronger response in the final match.