Hours after dropping Babar Azam from the ongoing England Test series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been forced to clarify that their former captain has been “rested” as they want him to be “mentally refreshed” for future assignments. Pakistan dropped a bombshell after announcing they have rested as many as four players including Babar, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the remaining two Tests against England.
Also Read: The Rise and Fall of Babar Azam
The decision came after Pakistan lost the Multan Test by an innings and 47 runs despite scoring 500-plus first-innings total.
The PCB release a statement quoting an unnamed spokesman calling Babar as the “best batsman of his generation” and defending their call to rest him from the remainder of England series.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has said that four top players including former captain Babar Azam have been spared from the team to give them rest so that they can come back afresh,” read the statement.
“Babar Azam is the best batsman of his generation and the PCB wants a mentally refreshed Babar to represent the Pakistan side in future,” it added.
The PCB spokesman further said “selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors” and they “had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule.”
Pakistan announced a 16-man squad for the remaining two Tests against England. They called up Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan as the replacements.
Additionally, Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood – part of the original first Test squad before being released – have been included in the squad too.
“PCB is offering opportunities to our young players and domestic performers to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. The PCB believes that each of Haseebullah, Mehran, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, Noman, Sajid and Zahid have the ability to rise to the occasion and serve the team in the remaining two Tests,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said PCB feels the England series “is a chance to induct youngster in the squad.”
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