The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah have been dropped from the squad for the second and third Test matches against England. Conversely, the selection committee decided after careful consideration of the current player form.
In a major decision, Pakistan’s top cricketer Babar Azam, along with key pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, has been rested for the second and third Test matches against England. After Pakistan’s heavy loss in the first Test, where England posted an extraordinary 823/7. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the selection committee decided to make significant changes.
The decision to rest Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem was based on their recent form and fitness. Babar, who has been struggling with his performance in Test cricket, hasn’t scored a fifty in his last 18 innings. Similarly, both Shaheen and Naseem have been dealing with minor injuries. Moreover, it was agreed that a break would help them recover.
The changes come after Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test in Multan. Despite scoring over 550 runs in the first innings, they lost by an inning. Moreover, this loss has sparked criticism and prompted selectors to rethink the team’s lineup for the upcoming matches.
Uncapped players Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam have been called up to the squad. This decision offers fresh talent an opportunity to step up. Selectors believe these new players, along with experienced ones like Shan Masood (captain) and Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), can help Pakistan bounce back in the series.
Will Something Change?
According to Aqib Javed, a member of the selection committee, the decision to rest senior players was tough but necessary. He emphasized the need to manage their workload, especially with Pakistan’s packed international schedule ahead. “We are confident that this break will allow them to regain their form and fitness,” Javed said.
The second Test begins in Multan on Tuesday, and the third will follow in Rawalpindi. Fans are hopeful that these changes will help Pakistan turn things around and make a strong comeback against a tough England side.
Squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, and Zahid Mehmood.
