‘You are the past, won’t ever play again’: Babar Azam’s father hits out at former cricketers, defends son

Star batter and former Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddique, has once again come forward to defend his son against widespread criticism over poor performance in recent months, especially during the Champions Trophy.

In a statement on social media, Siddique addressed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to rest Babar for the upcoming series against New Zealand, and pointed out that his son was dropped despite being a member of the ICC T20 Team of the Year.

He assured fans that Babar would make a comeback by performing in the National T20 Cup and PSL, and also urged former cricketers to be mindful of their words. “I request ex-players to choose their words carefully. If someone responds, you may not be able to tolerate it. You are the past and will never play again,” he wrote.

He also addressed criticism over his support for Babar. “People say ‘the father’ talks too much. I am Babar’s first and last coach. I am his spokesperson and mentor. Above all, I am his well-wishing father.”

“Those who are making noise should check their performances from their playing days. Just visit PCB's website once — hints are enough for the wise,” he said.