Babar Azam is considered to be one of the best cricket batsmen in the history of Pakistan. He has also been compared to one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Virat Kohli. But that Babar Azam has to sit out in the second Test against England. Pakistan’s new selection committee has made such a decision, according to the cricket-based website ESPN Cricinfo.
The new selection committee came together for discussions after the innings and 47-run loss against England in the Multan Test. Then on Saturday (October 12) they held another discussion with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Five members of the newly appointed selection committee were present there.
After the loss in Multan, however, Pakistan captain Shan Masood stood behind Babar. Called Babar Pakistan’s best batsman and advocated giving him more opportunities. Test coach Jason Gillempi said the same. But that did not melt the mind of the selection committee. They are unwilling to give another chance to Babar, who has not scored a half-century in Tests since December 2022.
The new selection committee includes former pacer Aqib Javed, batter Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, umpire Alim Dar and analyst Hasan Cheema. Test coaches and captains were previously in this committee, but they were not kept in the new committee. The five selectors also dropped Babar after talking to the coach and captain.
Babar has been struggling with the bat for the last two years. If he wants to return to the national team, he will have to return with domestic runs. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will start from October 20. If he can prove himself in this event, the door of the national team can be opened again for Babar. Although, Babar has not entered the field in any first-class cricket since 2019.
In Multan, where runs have flowed, Babar has trapped himself in the circle of failure despite getting a flat wicket. He scored a total of 35 runs in two innings. He got out badly in both innings. Caught at slip inside in first innings, caught outside in second innings. Babar could not score a fifty in 18 consecutive innings.
Only four specialist batsmen in Pakistan’s history have not scored a single fifty in more matches. After 2023, Babar’s average runs in 9 Tests are below 21. All in all, one of the best batsmen of Pakistan is going through a tough time. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is like a test of luck for him. It is to be seen whether Babar can return to his form like Kohli compared to him.
The second Test of the three-match series begins on October 15 in Multan. It is not known who will play as Babar’s replacement in this Test. After the defeat in the first Test in Multan, Pakistan is at the bottom of the Test Championship points table. After losing six Tests in a row, it is time for Pakistan to turn around.
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