MULTAN, Pakistan — Babar Azam, the star batsman of the Pakistan cricket team, was eager to continue his participation in the Test series against England. However, the team’s management has decided to rest him for the remaining two matches, as confirmed by the team’s staff on Monday.
Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood addressed the media a day before the second Test, stating, “Babar was keen to play, but the selection committee deemed it necessary for him to take a break.” There are no doubts about his skill set or capabilities, he emphasized, labeling Babar as Pakistan’s top player.
Following an extraordinary performance by England, which resulted in a victory by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test, Pakistan is making significant alterations to their squad. England’s impressive score of 823-7 declared his serious concern for the home team.
In addition to Babar’s absence, fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have also been omitted from the lineup. Pakistan is shifting to a spin-dominated strategy by bringing back Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood. Aamer Jamal is the only fast-bowling option remaining for the hosts.
Noman Ali returns to the Test side for the first time in over a year, while off-spinner Sajid Khan participated in his last Test earlier this year against Australia. Leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood is making a comeback after facing England in Multan back in 2022.
Making his debut will be Kamran Ghulam, who is stepping into Babar’s spot at number four in the batting order. Pakistan will be reusing the pitch from the first Test, hoping to leverage the capabilities of their spinners to secure 20 wickets. However, the team has only managed this feat once in their last six Tests, all of which ended in losses under Shan Masood’s captaincy.
Babar has recently struggled with form, not reaching fifty runs in his last 18 Test innings, with a top score of 41 against Australia in Melbourne last year. Mahmood noted that Babar is expected to rejoin the lineup after the series against England, especially with an active schedule ahead, including tours in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as hosting the West Indies for two Tests early next year.
With all these considerations in mind, Mahmood remarked, “We have an extensive Future Tours Program coming up, with plenty of cricket ahead. The selection committee decided it would be best for Babar to take a break now so that he can return rejuvenated.” He added that he is quite close to Babar and understands that there are many thoughts occupying his mind. Apart from Babar, Pakistan is retaining the batting lineup that accumulated scores of 556 and 220 in the first Test.
The squad for Pakistan includes: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood.