More than cricket, the attention on the eve of the second Pakistan vs England Test 2024 in Multan has been about PCB resting Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. In a presser, Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood clarified that Babar has not been dropped but rested, given a jam-packed season for the Pakistan cricket team ahead. Pakistan Playing XI for 2nd Test vs England Announced: Hosts Include Three Spinners, Aamir Jamal Lone Pacer; Kamran Ghulam to Make Test Debut.
In a surprising move, Pakistan’s management opted to leave out Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the remaining two Tests against Pakistan, causing an uproar in Pakistan’s cricketing circles.
Watch Azhar Mahmood’s Presser here
Mahmood further stated that Babar was willing to play in the Test, but management wanted the ace batter to come back stronger, given the Pakistan national cricket team’s schedule that runs till April next year.
Having gone without a half-century in 16 innings, Babar played in the PAK vs ENG 1st Test 2024 in Multan and managed scores of 30 and 5, respectively. England Playing XI for 2nd Test vs Pakistan Announced: Ben Stokes Returns to Captain Side, Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes Rested.
Mahmood explained that Babar remains Pakistan’s No.1 batter, and this rest will be beneficial for both the player and the team. Pakistan will next play South Africa in a two-Test series, before taking on West Indies in as many Tests at home later this year.
(The above story first appeared on Reportr Door on Oct 14, 2024 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
