Shahid Afridi reacts to PCB's move to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for England Tests

New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has given his backing to the selectors' choice to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the remaining two Tests against England. The decision, made by the newly-formed selection committee, has sparked discussion within the Pakistani cricket fraternity, especially with the absence of key players like Babar Azam from the squad.

The timing of the decision to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed has sparked mixed reactions within the Pakistan cricket community, especially following the team’s disappointing defeat in the first Test in Multan. Aqib Javed, a senior member of the selection committee, stated that the players were rested to help them “regain their fitness, confidence, and composure.” However, this explanation has led to questions regarding the rationale behind such a significant decision during a crucial series.

“Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future,” Shahid Afridi said in a post on X.

Pakistan has announced their playing XI for the second Test, featuring 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam, who will make his debut in place of Babar Azam in the batting lineup. The team has opted for a spin-heavy bowling attack, amidst speculation that the pitch in Multan is likely to favor spinners.

Babar Azam is currently experiencing one of the toughest phases of his international career, having gone 18 innings without a fifty-plus score in Test cricket. His last century was recorded in December 2022. In 2022, Babar had an impressive average of 69.64, including four Test hundreds and seven fifties. However, over the past two years, his average has plummeted to just 20, with a highest score of 41.

In contrast, both Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have faced difficulties in making an impact in home conditions. During the first Test against England in Multan, which featured a batter-friendly pitch, the two Pakistani pacers struggled to assert their dominance. Additionally, they were overshadowed by the visiting Bangladeshi bowlers during last month’s 2-0 defeat, highlighting their challenges in adapting to local playing conditions.