Babar Azam’s removal from Pakistan’s Test team created a stir in the cricket world
The cricket community was shocked to learn that Babar Azam had been left out of Pakistan’s Test team for their second match against England. As the newly formed Pakistan Cricket Board national selection committee got to work, the star batter paid the price for a run of uneven performances.
However, Pakistani great Ramiz Raja is not satisfied with the selection committee’s choice, labelling it a “knee jerk reaction.” Babar is not only a valuable member of the squad but also a well-known figure who contributes revenue to Pakistani cricket, therefore Ramiz finds it incomprehensible why he is not playing for the team.
“I believe the new selections’ response was a snap decision. Ramiz said in a Sky Cricket discussion that “the general consensus was that he needed rest and he was taken out of the squad completely.”
“We must acknowledge that he represents Pakistan in cricket sales. The question of whether Babar Azam would fail again or make a return is one that is constantly being debated in Pakistan. And it keeps things lively,” he said.
Not only Babar, but also Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were pulled from the Pakistani team. Ramiz believes that without these three players, Pakistan’s starting eleven against England in the second Test lacks even a “sellable commodity,” which is bad news for sponsors.
“Right now, I don’t see any sellable commodity in this Pakistan team … sponsors are a little wary as well because a) Pakistan have been on the losing sequence and b) There are no real superstars playing in this Test match now.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood addressed the three key players’ absence at the toss for the second Test, acknowledging that certain situations are beyond of his control.
“I think firstly playing a Test match for Pakistan is a huge opportunity for anyone who wants to be a cricketer so we’re all excited and there’s some rejuvenated energy in the camp,” said Shan Masood.
Regarding the squad selection, he said, “There are things we can’t control, but we can control what we do on the field.” We have a lot of optimism about this. We’re glad the spinners have certain requirements so we can demonstrate that we have some good spinners,” he said.
