Pakistan has excluded Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from their squad for the remainder of the Test series against England. This decision follows an embarrassing innings defeat in the first Test. It marks the first major move by the revamped team management, made just minutes after the loss in Multan.
England’s Ben Stokes Returns for Second Test
Both Pakistan and England have announced their playing elevens for the second Test, which starts on October 15 in Multan. England’s captain Ben Stokes, who missed the first Test due to injury, returns to the side. During a press conference, Stokes was asked about Pakistan’s decision to leave out three of their top players. He responded, “That’s Pakistan cricket’s issue, nothing to do with me.”
The exclusion of Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem has caused significant debate in the cricketing world. Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, addressed the media to explain that the trio has been “rested” rather than “dropped.” According to Mahmood, the team management wants to ensure these key players remain fit for upcoming white-ball matches. He emphasized Babar Azam’s value, stating, “Babar is our No. 1 player in terms of technique and ability.”
Read: Fakhar Zaman Criticizes Babar Azam’s Exclusion, PCB Issues Show-Cause Notice
Mahmood explained that the team faces a busy schedule ahead, with tours to Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He added, “We need to take advantage of our conditions and make sure our players are rested for the upcoming challenges. We have non-stop cricket for the next six months.”
Skepticism Surrounds Pakistan’s Decision
However, skepticism surrounds Mahmood’s explanation. Many fans and experts question the decision to rest these crucial players during such an important Test series. Pakistan has not won a Test series at home since early 2021, and a defeat in the second Test would mean another home series loss to England. Additionally, Pakistan made history in the first Test by becoming the first team to lose by an innings despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings.
Critics argue that the upcoming white-ball matches are not as important as winning the current series against England at home. The absence of Babar Azam, one of the world’s best batsmen, along with two of Pakistan’s top fast bowlers, could weaken the team significantly.
The pressure is mounting on the Pakistan cricket team. They are coming off a string of poor performances, including losing a Test series at home to Bangladesh. Now, they face the possibility of a second consecutive home series defeat to England.
The second Test will be crucial for Pakistan as they look to bounce back from the heavy defeat in Multan. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can recover without their star players or if the decision to rest them will backfire.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
