Srinagar: Former Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam has been left out of Pakistan squad for the second Test vs England and it has sparked a huge debate in Pakistan cricket.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Babar, along with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, has been “rested,” earlier reports indicated that Babar would be dropped due to poor performances.
Babar has endured a rough patch across all formats, notably in Tests, where he has failed to score a fifty in his last 18 innings. In the recent match against England, Babar’s struggles continued, as he was dismissed after being worked over by the bowlers who challenged both his outside and inside edges on a flat Multan pitch.
Fakhar Zaman was among the first among Pakistan players to voice his displeasure at the news of Babar’s omission.
It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam,” Fakhar Zaman posted on X.
“India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023 (2022), 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. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them.”
Another cricketer Usman Qadir also posted a concerning message on his social media.
“Unbelievable,” Qadir posted on X and later changed his profile pic to Babar Azam with another supportive message.
In addition to Babar, the PCB has also left out Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, both of whom have struggled to deliver standout performances in recent games. The Multan pitch, which has been widely criticised for being too flat and offering little for the bowlers, compounded their difficulties.
Shaheen, recovering from an injury, and Naseem, who has been struggling for consistency, are said to be resting.
Wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed has also been excluded from the squad as he recovers from dengue fever. The four players have been replaced by a combination of uncapped and experienced names, including Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, and Sajid Khan.
Additionally, Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were part of the initial Test squad but released before the first match, have been recalled.