WATCH: Akhtar explains ‘Babar can’t speak’ comment, mocks Kamran Akmal on air

Shoaib Akhtar made fun of his former Pakistan teammate, Kamran Akmal, live on-air, while clarifying his comment on Babar Azam’s communication skills.

While talking on a local TV channel, Akhtar said that he wants Babar to become as big a brand as Indian superstar batsman, Virat Kohli.

“I was listening to Kamran Akmal yesterday. He was our match winner. He must be sitting with you. I was listening to him and he was pronouncing the word ‘screen’ as ‘sakreen. You are on media, so you need to note these things,” Akhtar mocked wicketkeeper.

Shoaib Akhtar mocks Kamran Akmal live on air, while explaining his 'Babar Azam can't speak' comment#cricket pic.twitter.com/v6HgLDvOCP

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) February 23, 2023

“I had no intention to belittle Babar Azam. I want Babar to be bigger as a brand. You compare him with Virat Kohli. Look at how Kohli speaks. I want Babar to be as good as Kohli,” he added.

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Earlier this week, Akhtar, had slammed Babar’s communication skills in a recent interview with a local TV channel.

"I want to openly say this that Babar Azam should be the biggest brand of Pakistan, but why he hasn’t become the biggest brand in Pakistan? Because he can’t speak,” Akhtar had said.

Kamran wasn’t amused with Akhtar’s remark and came in support of Babar.

“I think Shoaib was not getting enough time on screen, that’s why he has said such a thing to keep himself in the headlines,” Akmal said.

“He is improving day by day as far as his speaking and media handling is concerned. In fact, the number of ads he is doing right now is no match to what Shoaib Akhtar does,” Akmal added.