'India Didn't Drop Virat Kohli...': Fakhar Zaman Stern Message To PCB Over Babar Azam's Axe From Test Squad (Source: AP/X)
Pakistan cricket board (PCB) took a massive step following the team's defeat to England in the first Test and dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the final two Tests against the 'Three Lions'. The senior players have been going through a significant lean run and the board finally moved on from the stalwarts after a string of poor performances. The PCB in its release said that Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been rested from the squad for the final two Tests. The players were replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Abrar Ahmed won't be available as he is recovering from Dengue.
"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.
The four players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan.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," said PCB in a release.
Meanwhile, the reports of Babar Azam's axe from the Test side left Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman fuming. The southpaw took to X and said that BCCI didn't drop Virat Kohli when he was going through a lean run, adding that dropping Babar would send a negative message across the team. He urged the board to safeguard their best players rather than undermining them. Fakhar made the tweet just minutes before PCB's announcement of the squad for the final two tests.
"It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," wrote Fakhar on X.
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