'Keep your personal agendas aside, drafting a team should be about putting Pakistan first' - Former Pakistan cricketer lashes out at Babar Azam

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has expressed his displeasure with the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) treatment of his brother Umar Akmal. Kamran slammed Pakistan captain Babar Azam after Umar was not picked in the ODI squad against New Zealand. He told Babar that he should put his personal agendas aside and focus on the national team.
 
The former cricketer accused Babar of prioritising his preferences over national selection, particularly in light of the fact that Umar is being overlooked in terms of ODI team selection. He also expressed concern about players being moved between formats based on camaraderie rather than skill.

"Keep your personal agendas aside, drafting a team should be about putting Pakistan first, not personal agendas or preferences. It's concerning to see players being shifted between formats based on connections rather than performance. We can't afford to treat team selection like a game of musical chairs," said Kamran as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Kamran went on to say that players in the ODI set-up should not be overlooked because of their performances in the T20I format. The 41-year-old went on to say that if the selection is done in such a manner, it feels like a game of musical chairs and that it's not fair to the team or the players. 

"The team selection should not be based on transitioning players between formats solely on the basis of their connections in the board. It's not right to include someone in the ODI lineup just because they didn't perform well in T20I. This seems like a game of musical chairs, and it's not fair to the team or the players," he added.

He went on to say that Umar deserves a spot in the Pakistan national squad. He further claimed that the board is not treating him properly and that the team captain, not just the Pakistan selecting committee, should consider this.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam has returned to the national squad as skipper and will be seen leading the Green Brigade in the forthcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand at home.