Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Babar Azam dropped from the Pakistan Squad for the remaining test matches against England.
On October 13, PCB announced the Pakistan squad for the remaining tests against England where Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and former captain Sarfaraz Khan are excluded from the squad.
Cricket experts and fans were left stunned by Pakistan’s decision to rule out Babar Azam for the England tests. The Selection committee’s call has sparked outrage among fans and former cricketers like Michael Vaughan, who criticised the board for this unexpected move.
Talking to the social media, Michael Vaughan blasted PCB for the decision.
“So Pakistan haven’t won in a while… Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in @babarazam258. I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises, but this tops the lot.. absolutely stupid decision.. unless he has asked for a break !!!” Vaughan tweeted.
So Pakistan haven’t won in a while .. Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in @babarazam258 .. I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises but this tops the lot .. absolutely stupid decision .. unless he has asked for a break !!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 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.
As per the PCB release, “Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
“Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection,” added the statement.
“The four players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially part of the original first Test squad but were subsequently released, have also been included in the 16-player squad.”
The second test of the tour will begin on October 15 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan squad for 2nd and 3rd England 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.
