England all-rounder Chris Woakes has come forward to explain his latest comments on Pakistan’s superstar batter Babar Azam. The veteran all-rounder is adamant that the comment went viral in a mischievous vein and was taken entirely out of context by ardent fans.
The Source of Controversy
During a recent podcast appearance, Chris Woakes addressed the online uproar sparked by his light-hearted “King Babar” comment. This was because South African cricketer Wiaan Mulder posted on Instagram when they were playing together in a local league. Below that post, Woakes humorously typed “King Babar,” and this ignited a storm of comments from Pakistani cricket enthusiasts.
Inside Joke Between Friends
Woakes said the term “King Babar” was used jokingly among teammates, particularly since Mulder was constantly bombarded with postings by Pakistani fans saying the same term.
“We were together in the South African league, and as soon as Wiaan would post something, there would be comments ‘King Babar’ from Pakistani fans. We took it up as a joke and began calling each other like that for fun,” Woakes said.
He made it clear the remark wasn’t intended as an insult to Babar Azam.
Pakistani Fans Backlash
Many Pakistani fans, however, interpreted the comment differently. Woakes disclosed that he found himself in the position of receiving online backlash just for uttering the word.
The remark was just said in jest, but it was taken much too seriously. I have huge respect for Babar Azam as a player. Pakistani supporters are hugely passionate, and things can get taken out of context at times,” Woakes added.
No Disrespect Meant to Babar Azam
Chris Woakes stressed his respect for Babar Azam and said no offense was intended. In fact, he acknowledged the incredible support and loyalty that Pakistani fans show for their players.
“Babar is a world-class player and deserves all the praise he gets. The comment wasn’t serious at all—it was just friendly banter between teammates,” he reiterated.
Final Thoughts
In a world where tweets are criticized under a microscope, Chris Woakes’ explanation is a reminder that all comments can be taken at face value. His candid explanation brings to light the thin line between humor and controversy in the current digital era.