Babar Azam's Father Speaks Out, Causes Debate Among Cricket Stars

Babar Azam's father shared posts on Instagram to defend his son after he was not picked for a cricket team. Some former cricket players think family members should not do this. This has started a discussion about family involvement in sports.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Pakistan |

An Instagram post by Azam Siddique, father of Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, has become a focal point of discussion, drawing varied reactions from former Pakistani cricketers. The posts, made following Babar Azam's exclusion from Pakistan's T20I squad against New Zealand, appear to defend his son and caution critics. This has, in turn, led to public commentary from figures like Kamran Akmal and Rashid Latif, who have expressed disapproval of Siddique's public statements.

Timeline of Events and Key Figures

The controversy centers around Azam Siddique's public statements on social media platform Instagram, primarily concerning his son Babar Azam's performance and selection in the national team.

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  • Post-Champions Trophy Exclusion: Following Pakistan's exit from the Champions Trophy, Babar Azam was not selected for the T20I series against New Zealand.

  • Azam Siddique's Instagram Posts: In response to this exclusion and subsequent criticism, Azam Siddique took to Instagram to express his views.

  • He defended Babar Azam, highlighting his inclusion in the ICC T20I Team of the Year despite his omission from the current squad.

  • He cautioned former cricketers against harsh criticism, urging them to choose their words carefully and even suggesting that fans should research the critics' own past performances.

  • One post mentioned Babar Azam's first salary as a cricketer, which was Rs. 16,800, and recalled an early encounter with former cricketer Mohammad Asif.

  • He also expressed faith in his son's ability to make a strong comeback, often concluding with "Insha Allah, he will make a comeback."

  • Criticism from Former Cricketers: Several former Pakistani cricketers reacted to Siddique's posts.

  • Kamran Akmal expressed his displeasure, stating that family members should not issue such statements and that Siddique should have commented less. He later engaged in a social media exchange with Siddique, which has been described as a "social media war."

  • Rashid Latif called Siddique's post "inappropriate" and an "insult to the PCB," arguing that while he has commented on players himself, Siddique's reaction was unwarranted.

  • Basit Ali also responded, questioning Siddique's own cricketing credentials by asking, "Don't know how many tests you've played."

  • Context of Trolling: The public commentary on Babar Azam extends beyond just selection issues. Reports indicate Babar Azam has been subjected to trolling on social media for his performances, with former stars allegedly mocking him on live TV and even engaging in "ridiculous bets" related to his scores.

Evidence and Statements

The primary evidence for this situation comes from Azam Siddique's Instagram posts and the subsequent reactions from former cricketers, often reported on sports news outlets.

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  • Azam Siddique's Defense:

    "Whether it is the family or any other player, you should not comment on PCB's policies." - Azam Siddique (as reported by NDTV)"I have done that myself, but the reaction of his father on social media was inappropriate." - Rashid Latif, referencing Siddique's posts.Azam Siddique described himself as Babar Azam's "first coach, mentor, and spokesperson," asserting his right to defend his son. (The Express Tribune)He urged former players to "choose their words carefully, warning that they might not tolerate a response if someone were to reply to their criticism." (The Express Tribune)He encouraged fans to "research the critics' own records before accepting their opinions." (Times Now)

  • Former Cricketers' Reactions:

    "Family members should not issue such statements." - Kamran Akmal (ARY News)Kamran Akmal also stated that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should only be considered for Test cricket. (ARY News)Rashid Latif commented, "He does not bat that long Anyway." regarding Babar Azam's performance. (NDTV)Basit Ali responded to Siddique by saying, "I don’t know how many Test matches Babar’s father has played." (ARY News)

  • Reports of Trolling:

    "Babar Azam has been subjected to intense trolling on social media over his insipid performances for Pakistan." (NDTV)Amir reportedly stated he would come out of retirement if Babar Azam scored 50 or more runs with a strike rate over 150. (NDTV)

Public Commentary on Family Involvement

A significant point of contention is the extent to which a player's family should publicly comment on professional matters.

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  • Arguments Against Family Intervention:

  • Kamran Akmal explicitly stated that family members should refrain from making such public statements. His perspective suggests that while Siddique is Babar Azam's father, his public comments on team policies or criticism of other players are outside appropriate boundaries for a family member.

  • Rashid Latif echoed this sentiment, calling Siddique's posts "inappropriate" and an "insult to the PCB," implying that family members should not publicly engage with the intricacies of team management or policy.

  • One report suggests, "Babar is the star, not his father. Unfortunately, Babar’s recent performances haven’t matched his past brilliance. So instead of arguing with people on social media, his father should support Babar quietly." (Cricket Pakistan) This viewpoint emphasizes that the focus should remain on the player, not the family engaging in public discourse.

  • Azam Siddique's Justification:

  • Azam Siddique appears to view his role as more than just a parent. By calling himself Babar Azam's "first coach, mentor, and spokesperson," he positions himself as having a vested interest and the right to defend his son publicly.

  • His defense strategy includes pushing back against critics, suggesting they examine their own records, and highlighting his son's past achievements, such as being named in the ICC T20I Team of the Year. This indicates a proactive approach to managing his son's public image and career narrative.

Disagreements Regarding Criticism of Babar Azam

The core of the public debate involves how Babar Azam should be treated by former cricketers and the media, with Azam Siddique taking a firm stance against what he perceives as unfair or excessive criticism.

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  • Siddique's Defense of Babar:

  • Azam Siddique has consistently defended his son, particularly after his exclusion from the T20I squad. He expressed belief in Babar Azam's capacity for a comeback.

  • He directly addressed former cricketers, urging them to be mindful of their words. His statements suggest that the criticism directed at Babar Azam has crossed a line.

  • The reference to Babar Azam's first salary and an early encounter with Mohammad Asif in one post might be an attempt to contextualize his son's journey and perhaps remind critics of his origins or potential.

  • Criticism of Siddique's Stance:

  • Former cricketers like Kamran Akmal and Rashid Latif seem to believe that while criticism is part of the sport, the manner and source of the rebuttal from Siddique are problematic.

  • Kamran Akmal's comment that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should only play Test cricket indicates a differing professional opinion on Babar's current form and suitability for different formats. Siddique's public defense can be seen as a direct challenge to such opinions.

  • The mention of trolling and "ridiculous bets" suggests that Babar Azam faces significant pressure beyond professional critiques, and Siddique's posts might be a response to this broader climate of public scrutiny.

Allegations of Mockery and Pressure

Beyond selection controversies, there are reports suggesting Babar Azam has been subjected to harsher forms of public commentary, including mockery and public betting.

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  • On-Screen Mockery:

  • Reports indicate that former Pakistan stars have "mocked" Babar Azam on live television. (NDTV)

  • Specific examples include Mohammad Amir stating he would return from retirement if Babar Azam performed exceptionally, and Rashid Latif making a dismissive comment about his batting duration. This points to a potentially more aggressive form of public discourse from some former players.

  • Public Betting and Pressure:

  • The mention of "ridiculous bets" related to Babar Azam's performance suggests an atmosphere where the player's actions are being trivialized or turned into games by some public figures.

  • The overall situation is described as Babar Azam's "crisis worsens as social media, family pressure mount," implying that the public scrutiny and familial involvement are adding to the challenges he faces. (Cricket Pakistan) This framing suggests that the external pressures are significant.

Expert and Public Opinion on Family Role

The public debate has highlighted differing views on the appropriate role of a player's family in their professional career.

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  • Views Supporting Limited Family Involvement:

  • Kamran Akmal and Rashid Latif represent the view that a parent's public commentary on team matters, player selection, or criticism of other cricketers is generally inappropriate. Their arguments often hinge on the potential for such statements to undermine team unity or the authority of the board.

  • The sentiment that "Babar is the star, not his father" suggests a belief that the player should manage public perception and professional interactions directly, with family offering private support.

  • Siddique's Self-Proclaimed Role:

  • Azam Siddique's self-description as Babar's "first coach, mentor, and spokesperson" presents a contrasting perspective. This indicates he believes he has a legitimate and active role in managing his son's public narrative, especially when he feels his son is being unfairly treated.

  • His actions demonstrate a willingness to engage directly with critics and to publicly defend his son, indicating a departure from a more traditional, private support role.

Conclusion

The social media activity of Azam Siddique, father of cricketer Babar Azam, has generated significant controversy. Siddique's Instagram posts, intended to defend his son following his exclusion from the T20I squad and to admonish critics, have drawn sharp reactions from former Pakistani cricketers such as Kamran Akmal and Rashid Latif. These former players have deemed Siddique's public commentary as "inappropriate" and an "insult to the PCB," arguing that family members should not engage in such public discourse.

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Siddique, however, has positioned himself as Babar's "first coach, mentor, and spokesperson," asserting his right to defend his son and urging critics to be mindful of their words, even suggesting fans examine the critics' own past performances. The situation is compounded by reports of Babar Azam facing intense trolling, on-screen mockery by former stars, and even public betting related to his performance, contributing to what is described as mounting pressure on the player. The debate highlights a fundamental disagreement on the appropriate level of family involvement in a professional athlete's public career and media interactions.

Key Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Babar Azam's father post on social media?
He posted to defend his son, Babar Azam, after he was not chosen for a cricket team and faced criticism. He also asked critics to be careful with their words.
Q: What did former cricketers say about the posts?
Some former players, like Kamran Akmal and Rashid Latif, said that family members should not make public statements about team matters. They felt it was not right.
Q: Is Babar Azam facing other problems?
Yes, reports say Babar Azam has been teased online and on TV by some former players. There are also mentions of bets being made about his game, adding pressure.
Q: What is the main argument about this situation?
The main argument is about whether a player's family should speak publicly about their career and team issues. Some think they should stay quiet, while others, like Babar's father, feel they have a right to defend their son.