Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam appeared to mock claims by national selector Aaqib Javed about his injury status, sharing an edited Instagram story that many fans interpreted as a subtle response to the controversy.
The post came a day after Javed said Babar Azam was injured during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which he said explained why the former Pakistan captain was not included in the Bangladesh series and did not participate in the National T20 Cup.
PCB explains Babar Azam’s absence from National T20 Cup and Bangladesh ODI squad
Selector’s injury claim sparks debate
Speaking about recent squad decisions, Aaqib Javed had stated that both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were dealing with injuries during the T20 World Cup. According to him, the injuries affected their availability for the Bangladesh series and domestic tournaments that followed.
Javed also said the situation raised questions about how injured players were involved in matches, adding that the selection committee intended to review the matter and examine communication from the previous team medical staff.
Instagram story fuels trolling narrative
Shortly after the remarks circulated online, Babar Azam posted an Instagram story that appeared to respond to the claim in a humorous way. In the image, his leg was edited to appear twisted or unusually bent, a visual that many social media users interpreted as a sarcastic reference to the injury allegations.
The post quickly drew attention across cricket communities and Pakistani social media, where fans described it as Babar Azam “trolling” the selector’s statement.
Ongoing discussion around Pakistan team management
The exchange comes amid wider debate surrounding Pakistan’s team selection and internal management. Recent reports have suggested differences between the new selection committee and some senior players regarding squad choices and fitness disclosures.
Neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor the players involved have issued detailed official statements addressing the online reaction beyond the comments already circulating in media reports.
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