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Akhtar warns five Pakistan players ahead of tri-series

Published : Sunday, 18 October, 2026 at 12:41 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has warned five senior players, including Babar Azam, that poor performances in the upcoming ODI tri-series could put their places in the national team at risk.

Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and England in the series. Speaking on the programme Outside Edge on Saturday (October 17), Akhtar claimed that selectors could be considering Babar's future in the ODI side if he fails to deliver.

"Does Pakistan have to keep Babar Azam in the team? Absolutely. Do the others have to play alongside him and adjust to his batting average? Yes, of course," Akhtar said.

He questioned whether Babar could be dropped from the ODI team, adding that he had heard such a possibility was being discussed internally.

Akhtar said he was not trying to create controversy around Babar. Instead, he urged the batter to prove his value in ODI cricket and said Pakistan should make the best use of his talent and ability.

Babar was Pakistan's leading run-scorer in their most recent ODI series against Australia.

Akhtar also named Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan among the experienced players facing pressure to retain their places.

He said the players might feel that the tri-series could be their last opportunity to prove themselves. However, he argued that putting Babar under pressure with an ultimatum to perform or leave would be unfair.

Akhtar acknowledged that Babar was not among his personal favourite players but said Pakistan had no better option available and needed to get the most out of him.

He also offered advice to Shaheen Afridi, urging the left-arm pacer not to bowl at maximum pace from the start of a spell. Instead, he recommended building up speed and intensity gradually.

Akhtar said fast bowlers in his time often followed a similar approach, increasing their intensity in the second spell before reaching their peak in the final spell.

The tri-series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday (October 18), with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match at 2:00 PM Bangladesh time.

Each team will face the other sides twice before the final in Lahore on October 31.

-EM

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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