'...Because He Can't Speak': Shoaib Akhtar Slams Babar Azam's Communication Skills

In an interview with a local Pakistani channel, Akhtar slammed communication skills of Pakistani players, including Babar Azam.

Akhtar believes Babar Azam has poor communication skills when it comes to speaking English.

Source : PTI

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed national team's all-format skipper Babar Azam for 'poor communication skills', his inability to speak English. Most of the cricketers in Pakistan struggle to speak fluent English during match presentations, press conferences and are often trolled for this.

Akhtar believes Babar Azam has poor communication skills when it comes to speaking English -- as per Akhtar, a major reason why the star batter isn't such a big brand. The legendary bowler said playing cricket is one thing but handling media is another and Babar fails to express himself.

In an interview with a local Pakistani channel, Akhtar slammed communication skills of Pakistani players, including Babar, and said, "Abhi aap dekh le, koi character nahi team mein. Naa koi baat karne ka tarika. How awkward it looks when they come to the presentation. Kitna mushkil hai English seekhna aur baat krna? Cricket is one job, and handling media is another. If you can’t speak, I am sorry, but you won’t be able to express yourself on TV."

"I want to openly say that Babar Azam should be the biggest brand in Pakistan, but why hasn't he become the biggest brand in Pakistan? Because he can’t speak," he added. (Watch from 7:22)

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says Babar Azam cannot speak and hence he is not the biggest brand in Pakistan. Modern-day cricketers in Pakistan cannot speak on media, TV or in post-match presentations.

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"Is there any other cricketer who can speak well? Why do only I, Shahid Afridi, and Wasim Akram get all the advertisements? The reason is that we take it as a job."

When Babar Azam reacted to criticism about his English language skills

"I’m a cricketer; my job is to play cricket. I am not a 'gora' who knows English thoroughly. Yes, I am working on it, but you learn these things over a period of time; you can’t just suddenly learn it," Babar had said during a press conference in 2020.