Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and former captain, Ramiz Rajacondemned the decision to drop Babar Azam It was branded a “knee-jerk reaction” by the Test squad, the national selectors and the PCB to the star batter’s lean patch in the format.
The Pakistan the selectors’ shock call came after Babar struggled to find form with the bat as the former skipper failed to score a fifty in nearly two years, leading to him being dropped from the Test squad for the ongoing second and third home Tests. series against England.
Ramiz Raja Babar slams PCB for dropping Azam from Test side
Apart from Babar Azam, the national selectors have also dropped star bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the remaining matches of the ongoing England series.
However, during the tumult, Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood insisted Babar was merely “resting” rather than going down, reiterating that the star batsman will remain their number one batsman.
In an official statement by the PCB, selector Aaqib Javed emphasized that the decision was taken to prioritize the best interests of Pakistan cricket and the players. He said: “We have decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
Should have been Babar Azam’s challenge: Ramiz Raja
Meanwhile, Ramiz Raja did not hold back and slammed the PCB and the national selectors for dropping Babar Azam from the team in the middle of the England series at home. The commentator said that even if Babar wanted to take a break, the right-hander should have made the call himself.
Speaking candidly on Sky Sports, Ramiz Raja said: “Whether he wanted a time-out from the XI or not, it should have been Babar’s call. I think it was a knee-jerk reaction; new voters; “The general consensus was that he needed a rest and he was completely removed from the squad.”
Meanwhile, Raja Babar expressed concern that Azam’s removal from the team could lead to serious consequences for the sponsors. He emphasized that Babar is basically the only marketable star in the Pakistan cricket team and without him, the audience for the second Test against England will suffer. Raja noted that now the sponsors are worried.
I don’t see any salable goods in the Pakistan team: Ramiz Raja
Raja said, “Now we have to understand that he is selling cricket for Pakistan and whether it will be another failure for Babar Azam in Pakistan right now or will he come back, those discussions are going on and that is holding everything up. interesting
Right now I don’t see any marketable goods in Pakistan team as sponsors are also a bit wary as Pakistan is on losing streak and no real superstar is playing in this test match right now.“
“Babar should have called”
Ramiz Raja discusses Babar Azam’s dismissal from the second Test
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Notably, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first in the second Test against England in Multan. Pakistan Key Abdullah Shafiq and captain Shan Masood fell cheaply for just seven and three runs respectively.
However, fifties from Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam brought some stability to their innings against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
