‘You are just fighting among yourselves’: Babar Azam hits out at 90s Pakistan cricketers

Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan endured a disappointing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, failing to scope the semi-finals. But the struggles were not constricted to performances connected the field. Off it, tensions betwixt existent players and erstwhile cricketers came into crisp focus, with Shadab Khan astatine the centre of a large controversy.Following Pakistan’s nonaccomplishment to India successful Colombo, erstwhile stars

Shahid Afridi

and Mohammad Yousuf publically called for Shadab to beryllium dropped. The all-rounder responded strongly, questioning their credentials by pointing retired that they had not been portion of a Pakistan squad that defeated India successful a World Cup.The speech rapidly escalated, with some Afridi and Yousuf hitting backmost astatine Shadab’s remarks. The occurrence highlighted a increasing disagreement wrong Pakistan cricket, wherever disapproval from erstwhile players often turns personal, drafting responses from those presently successful the setup.Now, 2 months on,

Babar Azam

has weighed in, calling for equilibrium and communal respect. Speaking portion starring Peshawar Zalmi successful the Pakistan Super League 2026, Babar backed Shadab’s close to respond.“When they talk astir things, it's right, but if the existent subordinate has said something, it's not right. Anyway, it's a antithetic shot game. Shadab said thing successful the vigor of the moment. Everyone has their ain mode of speaking,” Babar said connected Zalmi TV.

He stressed that specified exchanges lone harm the squad environment. “But successful the end, you are conscionable warring among yourselves. There should beryllium an effort to enactment the Pakistan team. Yes, we didn't bash good successful the T20 World Cup. We cognize we didn't execute well. But yes, I judge that. But these are the times of societal media, you cannot halt anyone.”Shadab had earlier reignited the statement aft referencing Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup triumph implicit India during a crippled against Namibia, again drafting disapproval from erstwhile players.

Babar acknowledged the acquisition of past greats but urged restraint.“There is nary comparison. If you speech astir the 90s cricketers, they are precise experienced. They person played much cricket. If they deliberation we are making mistakes, past we indispensable be. But sometimes, determination are idiosyncratic attacks. When that happens, a subordinate thinks astir answering back,” helium said.“You tin accidental thing you privation to erstwhile it comes to cricket. But players besides person self-respect. When you don't respect them, you besides volition get the same,” helium added.Amid the debate, Babar has been successful outstanding signifier successful PSL 2026, starring the tally charts with 588 runs successful 10 matches astatine an mean of 84 and a onslaught complaint of 146.27. His side, Peshawar Zalmi, volition present look Hyderabad Kingsmen successful the last connected May 3.