Babar Azam Set to be Dropped for Second Test Against England

In a stunning development, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s iconic batter and former captain, is set to be dropped for the second Test against England following the team’s crushing innings defeat in Multan. This decision comes after Babar’s prolonged run of poor form and a series of disappointing performances that have left his place in the team under scrutiny. The call was recommended by Pakistan’s newly appointed selection committee, which convened immediately after Pakistan’s loss in the first Test.

Selection Panel Recommendation

The decision to omit Babar Azam from the squad is the first major move by the new selection committee, formed only recently by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The committee, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, consists of former cricketers Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, and Azhar Ali, alongside veteran umpire Aleem Dar, and analyst Hassan Cheema. According to inside sources, the panel’s decision was based on the belief that Babar would benefit from stepping away from the national team to focus on regaining his form. Test coach Jason Gillespie and captain Shan Masood were not part of the committee meeting on Friday, though both had earlier voiced support for Babar.

However, after further deliberation during another meeting held in Multan on Saturday, where the selection panel met with Masood, Gillespie, and PCB curator Tony Hemming, the majority consensus leaned towards Babar’s exclusion. While some mentors within the group supported retaining Babar in the squad, the final recommendation was to drop him.

Babar’s Form Woes

Babar’s struggles in Test cricket have been well-documented, with the batter failing to score a half-century since December 2022. His most recent outing against England saw him register scores of 16 and 19 on a flat Multan pitch, extending his streak of innings without a fifty to 18 – a barren run that now threatens to eclipse the record for Pakistan’s longest such streak among specialist batters.

From the start of 2023, Babar’s decline in Test cricket has been stark. In nine Tests, he has averaged under 21, a far cry from his prime form, where he was once regarded as one of the world’s leading batters across all formats. His decline has paralleled a turbulent period for Pakistan cricket, one that saw him relinquish and then briefly regain the captaincy, only to resign again earlier this year to focus on his batting.

Impact of Leadership Troubles

Babar’s leadership tenure was mired in controversy, particularly after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to make it past the group stages. Following the World Cup debacle, Babar stepped down as captain of all formats. However, in a surprising twist, he was reinstated as the T20I and ODI captain just months later, replacing Shaheen Afridi. His second stint as captain was short-lived and marked by further disappointment, including early exits from both the 2024 T20 World Cup and the T20I series against lower-ranked teams like Ireland and the USA. This failure, coupled with his ongoing batting struggles, has contributed to the pressure on his place in the Test side.

Reaction from Shan Masood and Jason Gillespie

Despite the collective decision from the selection committee, Pakistan captain Shan Masood publicly defended Babar in the aftermath of the first Test, calling him “Pakistan’s best batter” and advocating for more patience with struggling players. Test coach Jason Gillespie echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for continuity in selection. However, behind the scenes, the selection panel felt that Babar’s form slump warranted a break from the team.

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Possible Replacements and Other Changes

Babar Azam’s exclusion is expected to be part of wider changes to the squad for the second Test, which begins on October 15 in Multan. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who remains hospitalized and unlikely to recover in time, will also miss out, with selectors considering replacements in the spin department. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are the leading contenders for a call-up. There is also speculation around Shaheen Afridi’s availability, as the left-arm pacer has struggled to regain his rhythm following a knee injury that kept him out of action for much of 2023.

It remains uncertain whether Babar will make himself available for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition, which begins on October 20. He has not participated in the tournament since 2019, and it is unclear whether the 29-year-old batter will seek to regain form through domestic cricket or take time away from the game.

Pakistan’s Struggles Continue

Babar’s omission comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan cricket, as the team finds itself languishing at the bottom of the World Test Championship table after six consecutive Test defeats. The loss to England in the first Test further exposed the team’s fragilities, both mentally and tactically, raising urgent questions about the direction of Pakistan cricket.

While Babar remains a revered figure among Pakistan’s cricketing faithful, his recent form – coupled with the team’s collective struggles – has sparked intense debate about his place in the side. Between November 2019 and the end of 2022, Babar had averaged nearly 62 in 25 Tests, including eight centuries and 15 half-centuries. His consistency during that period led to speculation that he could join the ranks of the “Fab Four” batters in world cricket.

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