New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that it has decided to rest experienced players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed from the remaining two Tests of the three-match England Test series. The decision hasn’t been received well by the cricket pundits who are questioning the board’s volatility and whether it even makes sense to drop one of their bests – Babar, on the basis of one failed performance.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan lashed out at PCB for benching Babar who endured a flop show in the opening Test where hosts Pakistan embarrassingly went down by an innings and 47 runs. Babar had a 30 in the first and a 5 in the second essay of the game. Taking to his social media handle on “X” (formerly Twitter), Vaughan said, “So Pakistan haven’t won in a while .. Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in Babar Azam.
“I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises but this tops the lot .. absolutely stupid decision .. unless he has asked for a break !!!” he added.
So Pakistan haven’t won in a while .. Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in @babarazam258 .. I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises but this tops the lot .. absolutely stupid decision .. unless he has asked for a break !!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 13, 2024
The board has added uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, with fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan. The decision came after PCB saw a refurbishment in the selection panel and after the first test defeat.
Fresh selection panel
Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali joined Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, and the coach and captain of the team and made the changes. The board said that resting these players will help them “regain their fitness, confidence and composure” so that they remain in good touch for the upcoming challenges. The board also showed faith in the added uncapped players who are about to face a formidable England in the second Test that begins on October 15 in Multan.
Pakistan squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, and Zahid Mehmood.
The decision to rest a senior player like Babar Azam from remainder of England Tests hasn’t been received well within the cricket fraternity. Here’s what Michael Vaughan said about the development. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
