Who are the three main players released from the squad? Does it come as surprise to anyone? Perhaps not. Pakistan cricket has been in for a long stay in chaos. It takes a few moments to recall a time when things were at peace within the country’s cricket circuit. It has been almost four years since the last time Pakistan won a Test match on their home turf.
What started as random defeats against teams like Australia and Bazball-influenced England, has taken Pakistan to achieve embarrassing firsts like losing a home Test series 2-0 against Bangladesh. Following that Pakistan let the English team trounce them by an inning in Multan the other day.
Right now, what is the most insanely unfathomable solution to Pakistan’s problems you can think of? Keep that in your mind, don’t say it out loud. Double that solution in toil, trouble, and insanity. That should almost be what the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to do.
The board made an itinerary following the loss against England which included: sacking the then-selection committee. Forming a new one almost instantly. Letting the one-day-old committee release key players from the second Test match series without reportedly consulting either the captain or coach. And sitting quietly to watch as all hell broke loose among the cricket fans.
Three main players released: Here is how fans reacted
The news of the three main players released from the Test squad, as it should have, stirred the fans, cricketers, and pundits alike. In a shocking turn of events, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi have been sidelined from the main squad. Many expressed their frustration with the news, a few found it surprising but justifiable, and plenty turned their guns toward the governing body.
Pakistan’s fiery batter, Fakhar Zaman expressed his support for Babar and the remaining dropped players by citing the example of how India stuck with Virat Kohli through his lean patch.
“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.”
As three main players were released from the Test squad, Former Pakistan Women’s team captain, Javeria Khan, lambasted PCB’s move, calling it a disappointment for the sport in the country.
“We have made a mockery of ourselves in the world of cricket. Systems that don’t respect players like Babar Azam should really not have players like him. No athlete can ever perform with an exhausted mindset, leg pulling, social media trials, and pressure to perform all the time. “
“The decision to rest your premier players is taken at the start of the series, not in the middle. Had it been taken before, it would have benefitted the players and communicated a positive msg. Apparently, these four players don’t need rest. It is the system that needs to reset its mindset. Very disappointed and sad to see Pakistan cricket going down the hill.”
https://x.com/FarziCricketer/status/1845419128472969500
https://x.com/CricCritic2/status/1845481270010331221
https://x.com/razkhan789/status/1844860775090811134
https://x.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1845337756555256242
https://x.com/TheBarmyArmy/status/1845468733449372011
https://x.com/HassanAbbasian/status/1845392792207409626
Who would replace the dropped trio?
Pakistan have called Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah, and Mehran Mumtaz in place of Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Besides these uncapped players, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali are back in the side as well.
Following the criticism of pitch curation and the inability of Pakistan bowlers to take 20 wickets in red-ball games, Pakistan are reportedly drying the same deck on which the first Test was played. This explains why the management is inclined toward a spin-heavy attack. To replace the pace duo, the only two options that Pakistan have are Mohammad Ali and Mir Hamza. The second Test match will start on 15th October.
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