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After Shan Masood-led Pakistan registered a humiliating defeat against England in the first Test in Multan, reports are making rounds that the former Pakistan captain, Babar Azam is likely to be dropped from the second Test. Babar Azam, who has been having a poor run of form in international cricket lately, had a forgettable outing in the first Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium too.
Babar Azam, who registered scores of 30 and five in the two innings in the first Test, could be the biggest casualty in the second Test if Pakistan makes changes into their side for the second Test, which is set to be played from Tuesday, October 15 onwards at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.
Babar Azam to be dropped for second Test vs England
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, Babar Azam being dropped from the side has been recommended by the newly formed selection committee, which met in Lahore within hours of the loss in the first Test. They then went onto to meet the next day, in the presence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the newly formed selection committee consisting of Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali have decided to leave out Babar Azam due to his poor run of form with the bat. However, this development comes despite the Pakistan Test captain, Shan Masood backing Babar Azam.
Abrar Ahmed likely to miss second Test against England
Babar Azam’s exclusion will not be the only change as Abrar Ahmed, who was rushed to the hospital, is also unlikely to recover in time. The selectors are looking in for spin bowlers with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in contention. According to reports in ESPNcricinfo, Shaheen Afridi also remains doubtful for second Test as he has been struggling with knee injury.
Notably, Afridi has played in two of Pakistan’s last four Tests and missed one in each of the previous two series. All will be seen as Pakistan will next take on England in the second Test, set to begin from October 15 in Multan with World Test Championship (WTC) points up for grabs.
