Babar Azam Got Dropped, Jason & Shan Masood Comfort Him As He Looks Disgruntled

In a surprising move, the newly-formed selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made significant changes to the squad for the second and third Test matches against England. The committee, which now includes Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali, decided to drop former captain Babar Azam, along with star bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. The PCB stated that “current form and fitness of key players” were the main reasons behind the omissions of these high-profile players.

The decision to drop Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s top batsmen, alongside premier fast bowlers Shaheen and Naseem, ignited a wave of criticism on social media. Many fans and analysts expressed their dissatisfaction with the PCB’s approach, particularly after captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie had earlier emphasized the need for consistency in selection, even in light of Pakistan’s poor performances. These losses included a devastating whitewash at home against Bangladesh in August, which added pressure to the team’s management and players.

Adding fuel to the controversy, a video surfaced on X (formerly known as Twitter), showing a visibly upset Babar Azam being comforted by head coach Jason Gillespie, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, and captain Shan Masood in the Pakistan dugout. The clip, originally released by ‘Events & Happenings Sports’ on YouTube, went viral despite having no audio to clarify the conversation. However, the body language of Babar, who appeared disgruntled and baffled, was enough to spark speculation and further debate about the selectors’ decision.

Looks like Jason Glipssie, Azhar Mahmood and Shan Masood are not happy with the exclusion of Babar Azam… pic.twitter.com/9EOekbTrR8

— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) October 13, 2024

The PCB’s bold decisions have created a divide among fans and commentators, with many questioning whether dropping key players is the right step, especially ahead of a critical series. Shan Masood and Jason Gillespie had earlier advocated for a steady selection policy to help the team build consistency, but these latest changes have led to uncertainty about Pakistan’s strategy moving forward.

With Pakistan looking to bounce back from a difficult run, the exclusion of Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem marks a major shift in their approach, and the outcome of this series will likely determine whether these decisions were justified.