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Michael Vaughan has blasted Pakistan for dropping ace batter Babar Azam for the second and third Tests against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the remaining two Tests and stated Babar had been rested.
However, his extended poor Test form since the start of 2023 had most fans and experts believe that Babar was dropped from the squad. The 29-year-old managed scores of only 30 and 5 in the first England Test which Pakistan lost by an innings and 47 runs.
Taking to his X handle, former England skipper Vaughan slammed the decision to drop Babar and wrote:
"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."
Babar has averaged under 21 in 17 Test innings since last year with no half-centuries and a highest score of only 41.
His poor form has been scrutinized even more due to Pakistan's recent poor Test results. Shan Masood's side has lost their last six Tests, including a 0-2 home series whitewash to Bangladesh.
"They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket" - Aaqib Javed
A member of the selection committee and former pacer Aaqib Javed reaffirmed some of the big names left out for the remainder of the England series remain firmly in Pakistan's plans.
Apart from Babar, Pakistan also left out renowned pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the next two England Tests.
While announcing the squad, Javed said as quoted by pcb.com.pk:
"Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges."
"They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger," he added.
With a revamped squad and facing another home series defeat, Pakistan will be under pressure in a must-win second England Test, starting in Multan on Tuesday, October 15.
