Reports suggest that Babar Azam’s position in Pakistan’s Test team is in jeopardy, with the middle-order batter likely to be dropped for the second Test against England in Multan, set to begin on October 15.
Babar’s recent form has been a major concern for the national team, as he has failed to score a half-century in his last 18 Test innings (9 matches). His poor run has seen him struggle to maintain a competitive position among international batters, leading to growing criticism.
In the first Test against England, Babar scored just 35 runs across two innings, further intensifying scrutiny of his place in the squad. His failure to perform on a flat pitch—where his teammates Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Salman Ali Agha all scored centuries, while England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook dominated with a double and triple century, respectively—has left the team management questioning his consistency.
With Pakistan’s new selection committee now in charge, comprising Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, Aqib Javed, and former umpire Aleem Dar, it seems probable that Babar Azam will be replaced by either Kamran Ghulam or Mohammad Huraira for the second Test. Following Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, the team will be eager to recover or salvage some pride in the upcoming match.
Only time will reveal whether dropping Babar Azam from the squad was the right call.
READ MORE:
