Big setback for Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi: PCB selectors drop 4 players from remaining England Test series

After facing a humiliating defeat in the first test against England by an innings and 47 runs at Multan, the Pakistan Cricket Board selectors have dropped former Pakistan captain Babar Azam from the remaining Test against England series, reported Cricbuzz.

The selectors have also dropped pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed from the squad, added the report.

The PCB have replaced these players with Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan.

Apart from this, the PCB also included Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood in the 16-player squad for the remaining Tests at Multan and Rawalpindi.

The decision was made by a new selection panel, which included Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, the coach, and the captain.

What PCB’s Aaqib Javed said?

“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. 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,” Cricbuzz quoted ,” Aaqib Javed as saying.

“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger,” he said.

“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests,” he added.

The second Test of the series will be played in Multan on the same pitch used for the first one.

England vs Pakistan 1st Test result:

Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat against England in the first Test, losing by an innings and 47 runs despite scoring over 500 runs in the first innings. Pakistan had posted a total of 556 runs in their first innings while England, buoyed by a triple century from Harry Brook (317) and a double century from Joe Root (262), posted a mammoth total of 823/7 before declaring. In their second innings, Pakistan were bowled out for a meagre 220 runs.

Babar Azam, in particular, had failed to impress in both innings of the Test match with scores of 30 and 5 respectively, leading to murmurs about his place in the team. However, soon after the clash, Pakistan captain Shan Masood came out in support of his senior, describing him as the ‘best batter’ in the Pakistan team.

Shan Masood backs Babar Azam:

Speaking after the Ist test match, Masood had said, “We want to build a squad mentality. We don’t play a lot of Test cricket. Especially as a batter, it is not easy. You have to give a lot of opportunities, and there is no doubt that Babar Azam is Pakistan’s best batter. You always have to keep in mind that your best batter is just one game away. We will reflect and see the conditions that will be on offer. We will try to put the best team on the side.”