Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has come up with an apt response for Shoaib Akhtar’s criticism of the team after suffering a clean sweep in the 3-match ODI series in England. Akhtar had previously stated that the current Pakistani team doesn’t;t have a star player in their lineup. While speaking to the press after the third ODI, Babar Azam said he can’t argue or comment on Akhtar’s remark, adding, “every player in the side is giving 100 percent on the field”. 

When a journalist asked Baba Azam about Shoaib Akhtar’s comment, Babar explained, “I think he [Shoaib Akhtar] doesn’t think so. All the players in the squad are giving their 100%. You should ask him who is a star and who isn’t because I don’t want to argue or comment on this matter.”

ALSO READ: COVID hits Indian camp in England, one player tests positive and quarantined

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, in a YouTube video on Wednesday, said he was “hurt” by the “average” performance of the Babar Azam-led team as England whitewashed them in a three-match ODI series. The new-look English side with nine uncapped players was assembled a day before the series against Pakistan was slated to begin due to several COVID-19 positive results inside England’s main ODI squad. 

Despite being the B-side, England bowlers bundled out Pakistan team for a meager  score of 141 runs and the hosts chased down the target in just 21.5 overs. In the second ODI, Pakistani fast bowlers played some very good cricket but the batsmen failed them again as they lost the game by 52 runs. 

ALSO READ: Eoin Morgan Returns As England Ready To Take On Pakistan In T20s

As far as the third game is concerned, Pakistani batsmen made a comeback with Babar Azam scoring his career-best ODI score of 158 runs to help his team to reach the total of 331. However, this time around, the bowlers failed as they allowed England to chase down the target of 332 runs in 48 overs. Pakistan lost the match by 3 wickets.