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The performance of Pakistan's star batsman, Babar Azam, has been a subject of intense scrutiny in recent times, leading to speculation that he might be dropped from the playing XI for the second Test against England in Multan. The decision to potentially remove Babar from the team is reportedly based on recommendations from the reconstituted selection committee, which now includes Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and Aleem Dar as voting members.
Babar's form has been a cause for concern, as he has failed to score a fifty-plus score in his last 18 innings. His most recent significant score was a 161 against New Zealand in a drawn Test match back in December 2022. This lackluster performance has seen his average in the red-ball format plummet to 43.92, a stark contrast to his previous prolific run-scoring abilities.
The first Test against England presented Babar with an ideal opportunity to regain his form and contribute significantly to Pakistan's success. However, he could only manage to score a meager 35 runs across the two innings, further fueling concerns about his current state of form. This disappointing performance followed a similar trend in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, where Babar could only accumulate 0, 22, 31, and 11 runs in the four innings. This series resulted in a 2-0 defeat for Pakistan, marking their first loss to Bangladesh in the red-ball format, a setback that was met with harsh criticism from numerous former cricketers.
The ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle has also been a source of frustration for Pakistan, as they currently find themselves languishing at the bottom of the points table, effectively eliminating them from contention for the finals. This dismal performance further adds pressure on the team to perform and improve, with the selection committee potentially opting for changes to the squad in an attempt to turn the tide.
The decision to potentially drop Babar Azam, a renowned batsman and former Pakistan captain, is a bold one, and its implications will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The second Test against England in Multan promises to be a crucial match for Pakistan, with the team hoping to regain momentum and salvage their campaign in the WTC.
Source: Pakistan likely to drop Babar Azam for second Test against England in Multan | Report