Pakistan is making big changes ahead of the second Test after their heavy loss to England in the first match of the three-game series in Multan.
One of the biggest surprises is that Babar Azam, the former captain, might be left out. This decision has shocked many in the cricket world. Sources say the new selection committee has recommended dropping Babar from the team for the second Test, which will begin on October 15 in Multan.
Major changes ahead for Pakistan as Babar Azam set to be dropped for the second Test against England
After Pakistan’s tough loss to England in the first Test, the selection committee quickly met twice over the weekend to discuss the team’s future. These meetings took place in Lahore and Multan, with top officials like PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the newly appointed mentors involved in the talks.
The decision to drop Babar Azam has shocked many, but it signals a change in Pakistan’s approach as they look to improve their performance in the upcoming matches. Despite this, Pakistan captain Shan Masood stood by Babar, calling him the country’s “best batter” and asking for more patience so players can regain their form.
Head coach Jason Gillespie also agreed with Masood. However, the selection panel sees things differently. According to ESPNCricinfo, the committee believes Babar might need a break from the team, especially as he’s been struggling to score runs lately.
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Pakistan’s selection committee dropped Babar Azam from national team
Babar Azam hasn’t scored a half-century in Test cricket since December 2022, which has raised concerns about his form. The new selection committee includes well-known names like Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, former ICC umpire Aleem Dar, and analyst Hassan Cheema, along with head coaches Jason Gillespie (red-ball) and Gary Kirsten (white-ball).
Surprisingly, neither captain Shan Masood nor coach Gillespie were part of the key selection meeting on Friday, October 11, in Lahore. The selectors then traveled to Multan on Saturday, October 12, to meet with the captain, coach, and PCB curator, Tony Hemming.
During these talks, some mentors backed Babar staying in the squad, but most of the selection committee wanted to drop him. It’s still unclear if Babar will play in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which begins on October 20.
Babar Azam not scored a Test half-century in his last 18 innings
Babar Azam hasn’t played in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s top first-class competition, since 2019. His recent form has come under heavy criticism, especially after his poor showing against England, where he scored just 35 runs in two innings on a flat pitch at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Babar struggled with his batting, missing deliveries on both the inside and outside edges in back-to-back innings. Since the start of 2023, his Test average has dropped to below 21 across nine matches, increasing the pressure on his place in the Pakistan team.