Shahid Afridi on Babar Azam: Pakistan has taken some big decisions by excluding Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the remaining two matches of the series against England. Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood said three players have been “rested” to keep them fit for the team's busy international schedule following this series. This decision by the selectors of Pakistan cricket team has come at a time when the team had to face defeat by an innings and 47 runs even after scoring 556 runs in the first innings against England in Multan. Earlier, Pakistan had to lose the two-match Test series 0-2 at home against Bangladesh. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam was continuously flopping in Tests for some time and the pressure on him was increasing.
However, whatever may be the reason for the selectors' decision, this decision has created a controversy in Pakistan cricket because Babar Azam is counted among the best batsmen at present. Not only Babar, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Sham are among the most high-profile players of the country. However, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who is Shaheen's father-in-law, has now expressed support for the decision.
Shaheen Afridi supported the selectors' decision on social media site Not only helps in expansion, but also provides a great opportunity to screen and groom emerging talent, building a strong bench strength for the future.”
Supporting the selectors' decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 14, 2024
Pakistan's position at home in Test cricket has become worryingly weak. With the innings defeat against England on the flat pitch of Multan, Pakistan has become the first team in the history of Test cricket to face an innings defeat despite scoring more than 500 runs in its first innings. Let us tell you, this is the first time in Babar Azam's career of 54 Test matches that he has been given 'rest'.
Regarding giving rest to Babar, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement, “Keeping in mind the current form and fitness of the key players and keeping in view the future schedule of Pakistan in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to rest Babar.” “It has been decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.” The board said, “Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was not available for selection.”
According to news agency PTI, Shaheen and Naseem had distanced themselves from the series on Sunday morning citing injuries. The source also said that captain Shan Masood, head coach Jason Gillespie and two mentors of PCB were against dropping Babar from the Test team. However, the new selectors including Aaqib Javed and Aleem Dar insisted that Babar should be dropped from the team due to his poor form and lack of confidence.
Pakistani team for the second and third Test of the series against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Hasibullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman. Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Aga and Zahid Mehmood.
Also read: PAKW vs NZW: Pakistan all-out for 56, 8 batsmen could not score more than 5 runs, shameful record recorded
Also read: IND vs NZ: “We will only include those players…” Gautam Gambhir gave a big statement on the playing XI of the first test.
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