Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the remaining test matches of Pakistan’s tour of England 2024.
In a recent development, the Pakistan squad was selected by a newly formed selection committee, formed hours after the hosts suffered a defeat by 47 runs and an innings in the first test at Multan.
A statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board backing the selection committee’s decision says that it was made considering the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 season.
Hence, Babar Azam, Shaheen Naseem and Sarfaraz have been rested for the remaining matches of the England tour.
“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.”
Pakistan name squad for 2nd and 3rd England Tests
Details here ➡️ https://t.co/vWp6IJeDkj#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 13, 2024
Azam has not scored a half-century since 2022 and has been struggling across formats where he was made captain and quit the captaincy after Pakistan’s exit at group stage exit in this year’s T20 World Cup in June.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi has struggled to pick wickets in Tests since returning from a knee injury.
“With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
“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,” said the member of the new selection committee Aqib Javed.
Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed was unavailable for selection due to dengue fever, due to which he was hospitalized on day four of the first test at Multan.
In place of the quintet, Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali and Sajid Khan have been included.
“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,” added Javed.
With Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz in the test squad, Maaz Sadaqat and Rohali Nazir will replace the duo in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming ACC men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup from October 18.
Pakistan squad for second and third Tests: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.
