Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has publicly addressed the issue of online abuse within the country's cricket community, specifically highlighting the toxic behaviour of supporters associated with former captain Babar Azam.
Speaking on the Backward Point Podcast, the 28-year-old clarified that his concerns were directed entirely at the conduct of the fanbase rather than at Babar’s personal character or his technical abilities as a cricketer.
Azam Khan noted that he has personally experienced harassment online and argued that the current environment has crossed the line from constructive feedback into unacceptable territory, particularly for analysts offering measured observations.
The wicketkeeper-batter stated that while Babar remains a high-profile figure in the sport, the intense and often aggressive reactions from his followers have created a challenging atmosphere for those discussing the game.
Babar has faced significant scrutiny following his recent performances in an ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka, where he struggled to find consistency with the bat throughout the tournament.
During that series, the former captain accumulated 118 runs across five matches, maintaining an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21, without managing to record a single half-century during his appearances.
Azam Khan, who has played nine T20 Internationals under Babar's leadership, including during the 2024 T20 World Cup, emphasised that the sport requires a more respectful discourse within digital spaces to maintain healthy fan engagement.
The comments reflect a growing conversation within Pakistan cricket regarding the impact of social media on players and the broader cricketing ecosystem, as public figures continue to navigate the pressures of intense digital scrutiny.
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