Shahid Afridi Backs PCB's Decision To Drop Babar Azam, Shaheen And Other Big Names From Pakistan Test Squad

Legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi voiced his support for Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the second Test against England.

Pakistan is currently competing in a three-match Test series against England at home. After Pakistan conceded a defeat in the Test series opener, PCB decided to drop the trio due to a poor show in Multan.

Days after the decision, Afridi has now backed the management’s bold call claiming it would serve as a break for the star players. “Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen and Naseem a break from international cricket,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Expressing further in his post, Shahid Afridi said that the squad change would help elongate the careers of the dropped cricketers. He added that it allows the team to groom new and upcoming players who would add to Pakistan’s bench strength in the future. “This move not only helps protect and extend the career of these champion players but also gives a strong opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future,” Afridi explained.

Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah failed to perform impressively against England in the Multan Test. While batting, Babar scored 30 and 5 runs across the two innings of the series opener. This was the 18th successive Test innings where he failed to score a half-century. On the bowling front, Shaheen and Naseem combined for three wickets against the visitors. England claimed a dominant victory by an innings and 47 runs.

Pakistan legend Saeed Anwar had a few words of encouragement for Babar Azam after receiving the news of his removal from the Test team. Anwar shared a heartfelt post on X asking Babar to remain strong in this time of adversity. “This too shall pass, stay strong Babar Azam beta,” he wrote. Anwar also emphasized how this low moment could happen in anyone’s career. “This has been happening in anybody’s career, you will bounce back Inshallah,” he added.

As for the ongoing series, Pakistan and England are facing off in the second Test. The hosts racked up 366 runs in the first innings, courtesy of a century from Kamran Ghulam.