The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to drop seasoned players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the upcoming two Test matches against England.
This bombshell came in the wake of Pakistan’s crushing defeat in the first Test, where they were beaten by an innings and 47 runs—despite posting a mammoth 556 runs in their first innings.
Panic Mode Activated?
Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah haven’t been in their prime form recently. But dropping them completely? That’s got fans biting their nails. Sure, Sarfaraz’s exclusion makes a bit more sense—he’s not getting any younger, and the board might be thinking long-term with a younger wicketkeeper.
But still, it’s Sarfaraz we’re talking about! The former captain who led the team to their only trophy in the last 15 years. You just can’t bench him like this.
Read More: PCB Chairman Breaks Silence On Babar Azam’s Replacement As Captain
The decisions were made by the PCB’s new selection committee, featuring the likes of Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq, captain Shan Masood, and head coach Jason Gillespie. No doubt these guys have cricketing brains, but some of these choices are hard to digest.
The Curious Case Of Exclusions
Both Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were reportedly dealing with some health concerns during the first Test. Shaheen was down with a cold and mild fever, and both pacers experienced discomfort throughout the match.
They even reported their concerns to Shan Masood and Jason Gillespie, hoping to get rested from the next Test. But they were dropped for both matches, leaving them scratching their heads.
Read More: Glenn Maxwell Calls Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Major Threats
According to inside sources, Babar didn’t ask for a break; in fact, he was raring to go for the second Test. Both Shan Masood and Jason Gillespie wanted Babar Azam to be part of the lineup but the selection committee thought otherwise.
The exclusion of Sarfaraz Ahmed has left even more people scratching their heads. Sure, he’s only played one of Pakistan’s last six Tests, but he’s a former captain and still a massive presence in the dressing room, offering crucial support to Shan Masood.
This bold shake-up could go either way—it might ignite a spark or send Pakistan spiralling even further. Only time will tell if these drastic moves will pay off or raise even more questions about the PCB’s strategy.
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