Stuart Broad and Salman Ali Agha - (Source: AFP/X)
Former England seamer Stuart Broad made a controversial remark before the England vs Pakistan Test series that divided the internet. The English legend assessed the Pakistan side and delivered a brutal verdict that didn’t land well on social media.
Broad labelled the Babar Azam-led side as a poor side and predicted England to clean sweep the visitors 3-0 comfortably. The remarks drew heavy criticism from Pakistani pundits and started a social media war.
Stuart Broad’s Remarks Enraged Pakistan Pundit
Speaking on The Love for Cricket Podcast, Stuart Broad labelled Pakistan’s team as a poor side. "Pakistan are a weaker side. There is no doubting that. They are a very poor side. If England don't come away with a Test series win, it really is a huge failure for them," Broad said earlier this week.
The statement didn’t go well with many; Salman Butt, in particular, who hit back at Stuart Broad. Butt admitted that Pakistan are not playing their best cricket but took a jibe at England cricket for losing the Ashes 4-1.
"Stuart Broad was saying that Pakistan is a poor side. Okay, Pakistan isn't playing good cricket at the moment, but what is this 'poor team' comment? You have a very good team, so what happens to you when you go to Australia? You lose 5-0 every time," said Butt.
Stuart Broad Doubles Down On His Earlier Remark
In the latest events, Broad has revisited his earlier remark that sent the internet into a frenzy. The 40-year-old doubled down on his statement and added that England should whitewash the Babar Azam-led side.
“I don’t know what we can really know about this team, but, as I said in the last podcast, which quite a few Pakistani fans took exception to, Pakistan are a poor side, and England should win this series 3-0. If they don’t, it would be an absolute disaster. I haven’t changed my opinion on that at all. England should win this Test series 3-0; they’ve simply got a stronger side,” Broad said.
Also Read: Salman Butt Hits Back At Stuart Broad For Disrespecting Pakistan Test Team
Stuart Broad pointed out the lack of flair within the Pakistan team and remarked that the presence of bowlers like Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali doesn’t frighten him. Notably, Pakistan have not won a Test series in England since 1996.
Pakistan Register Embarrassment In 1st Test
Stuart Broad made the controversial remarks before the 1st Test at Headingley. Pakistan had the chance to shut the 40-year-old down with a scintillating display of cricket. However, the visitors put on an embarrassing show and proved Broad’s point to be true.
Talking about the 1st Test, Pakistan, batting first, tumbled for just 171 runs. In reply, England scored 409 runs, taking a 238-run lead. In reply, the Salman Ali Agha-led side collapsed for only 135, resulting in England’s innings and a 103 run win.
Pakistan still have a chance to turn things around as they are likely to be boosted by Babar Azam’s return in the 2nd Test when the two teams collide on August 27 at Lord’s.
Also Read: Pakistan Women's Play Against Their Men's Team, Check Why!
