Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram is currently the bowling coach and chairman of Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Karachi Kings. Pakistan's all-format skipper Babar Azam was associated with franchiseKarachi till last year.
Last month, Babar moved to Peshawar Zalmi during the Pakistan Super League draft. This development led to speculations whether there's a possible rift between Wasim Akram and Babar Azam.
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Breaking his silence over the controversy, Wasim Akram slammed journalists who made such baseless reports. Further clearing the air over the matter, Karachi Kings bowling coach asserted that the decision to draft Babar to Peshawar was one taken by the owner.
“I was never upset with Babar. There are a few journalists sitting at home who are making these stories. Their job is to be on Twitter only. They won't eat food, they won't have tea, they are on Twitter 24/7. I haven't met them even once.
"Trades are very common in league cricket. It's not my team, it's the owner's team," said Wasim to Cricket Pakistan. I keep talking to Babar regularly. He's like my own son. Why would I be upset with him? I fully support him," said Wasim to Cricket Pakistan.
Babar Azam has been facing immense criticism from fans and experts due to Pakistan's poor results that saw them being whitewashed by England at home. Defending the Pak skipper, Akram said: “We have to support our captain. (I'm saying this because) I've played under 7 captains. If our captain is inexperienced right now, removing him won't do any good. But supporting him will. We don't need enemies, our own people are enough. I'm seeing how people are criticising Babar left, right, and centre. It's embarrassing. Please stop making fun of yourself. It genuinely hurts me.”