Babar Azam is going to be dropped from Pakistan's Test team

Babar Azam is going to be dropped from Pakistan's Test team

Babar Azam is going to be dropped from Pakistan's Test team - there have been rumors since the end of the first Test in Multan. That rumor has come true, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced today that the former captain who spent 18 consecutive Test innings without a fifty is not in the squad for the last two Tests of the England series. After taking charge on Friday, the new selection committee of PCB took a big decision.

Apart from Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Sarfraz Ahmed are not in the 16-man squad for the second and third Tests against England. PCB says they have been rested. Spinner Abrar Ahmed, who is suffering from dengue fever, is also not in the team for the second Test.

Babar has scored 352 runs in 17 innings of 9 Tests since the beginning of 2023, averaging only 20.70. His elimination therefore seemed to be a matter of time. However, the PCB did not use the phrase 'excluded' in the official press release. However, the poor form of Babar Azam and others who were left out played a major role in the decision, the statement said, 'Taking into account the recent form and fitness of some key players and Pakistan's future schedule for the 2024-25 season, the selectors have selected Babar Azam Naseem Shah, Sarfraz Ahmed. And rested Shaheen Afridi. (Suffering from dengue fever) Abrar Ahmed is not in a good condition to play.

The second Test will start in Multan on October 15. The last Test will start on October 24 in Rawalpindi. The big change coming to the Pakistan team was also predictable, despite scoring 556 runs in the first innings of the first Test at the Multan venue, but losing by an innings in the end.

Wicketkeeper batsman Hasibullah, left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz, all-rounder Kamran Ghulam, fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan have got a place in the team for the next two Tests. Haseeb, Mehran and Kamran are yet to make their debut. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were with the team in the first Test, have also been dropped by the PCB.

 They will be outstanding talent in Pakistan cricket. We will do all kinds of cooperation to ensure that they can come back stronger.

Aqib Javed, Election, PCB

Aqib Javed, one of the new selectors, explained why Babar Azam was given a 'rest', "We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and form, hopefully they can come back strong to take on future challenges."
Babar Azam in Pakistan practice today in Multan

Akib also talked about being by Babar Azam's side during the rest period, "They will be an outstanding talent in Pakistan cricket." We will do all kinds of cooperation to ensure that they can come back stronger.

Pakistan team for 2nd and 3rd Test

 Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Ameer Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Hasibullah (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayyub , Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.