Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi were rested for the last two Tests against England (AFP Photo)

Shahid Afridi reacts to Pakistan resting Babar, Shaheen and Naseem in England Tests

Former captain Shahid Afridi said he supports the selectors' decision to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the last two Tests against England. The decision to leave out the three star cricketers, including their former captain, has divided opinions in Pakistan cricket fraternity.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Shahid Afridi backed Pakistan selectors' decision to rest the Big Three
  • Pakistan left out Babar, Shaheen and Naseem from the squad for the last two Tests
  • Pakistan handed a debut to 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam in the second Test

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has backed Pakistan selectors' decision to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the last two Tests against England at home. In news that created ripples in the Pakistan cricket fraternity, a newly-appointed selection committee left out senior players, including their former captain Babar Azam, from the last two Tests.

The timing of the decision, which came right after the humbling defeat in the first Test in Multan, divided opinions in the Pakistan cricket fraternity. The official statement of Aqib Javed, one of the senior members of the selection committee, mentions that the three players and Sarfaraz Ahmed were rested to enable them 'regain their fitness, confidence, and composure', but questions have been asked about why the call was taken in the middle of a high-profile series.

"Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future," Shahid Afridi said in a post on X.

Pakistan named their playing XI for the second Test with 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam set to make his debut and replace Babar in the batting unit. Paksitan have named a spin-heavy bowling unit with speculation rife that the pitch in Multan will aid the spinners.