New Delhi: Former captain Babar Azam was dropped alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah as Pakistan announced their squad for the remaining two Test matches of the ongoing three-match Test series against England at home. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision came after Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat by an innings and 45 runs in the 1st Test against the visitors in Multan.
Multiple reports surfaced on Sunday claiming Babar was set to be dropped from the Pakistan team amid his lean patch in the longest format. The Pakistan star’s poor run continued in the series opener against England in Multan where he was dismissed cheaply on 30 and a duck in the two innings respectively. Babar’s last Test century came against New Zealand in December 2022.
The Pakistan batter has failed to notch up a half-century in his last 18 Test innings in what has been one of the worst lean patches of his career. The new-look Pakistan senior selection panel that was rejigged following the team’s shambolic defeat in the 1st Test against England took the bold call to drop Babar alongside pacers Shaheen and Naseem.
The selectors’ decision to drop Babar has not gone down well, with many on social media criticising them for it. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman also took to Twitter to lash out at the selectors while citing the example of Team India star Virat Kohli. Zaman highlighted how India backed Kohli during his lean patch which helped the star batter bounce back eventually.
“It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team,” Zaman wrote in a tweet. Several others echoed his sentiments on social media.
PCB faces backlash over decision to drop Babar Azam from Test squad:
It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan…
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024
first they thought captaincy of babar azam is the problem and when he resigned from captaincy all of you seeing the humiliating defeats from bangladesh and now historic defeat from england and now they think babar azam is the problem in the team so let them drop him from the team… pic.twitter.com/6vahKUbAxG
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) October 13, 2024
It’s not so much that Babar was dropped that hurts, he’ll be back, I’m sure, but what truly breaks my heart is how he’s been treated over the past year or so, one of our greatest player, yet instead of supporting him up when he needed it the most, we treated him like he meant…
— Ahsan 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@AN92_97) October 13, 2024
Dropping Babar is a predictably divisive decision. He is undoubtedly Pakistan’s best batter…but not on current form. His run over the past few years is a far cry from the world beating batter who drew comparisons to the greats. A little break from tests could do him some good.…
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 13, 2024
Pakistan’s new-look selection panel takes bold call
Former umpire Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and ex-Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali joined Asad Shafiq and Hasan Cheema in the new-look Pakistan selection panel earlier this week. The selection panel said it considered the urgency for the hosts to bounce back in the Test series against England and the upcoming international schedule before deciding to drop the trio.
“We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi,” said Aaqib Javed.
Along with Babar, Shaheen and Naseem, the Pakistan selectors have also left out veteran wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed from the Test squad. The experienced players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, who are all uncapped and fast bowler Mohammad Ali. Spinner Abrar Ahmed is all set to miss out too due to dengue fever.
Pakistan dropped star batter Babar Azam from their Test squad for the remaining two Tests against England at home. PCB is facing immense backlash from the fans and former cricketer over the decision. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
