Babar Azam has revealed that he was not consulted over Pakistan’s decision to release seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third Test against England in Birmingham.
The Pakistan captain said the sweeping changes made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came as a surprise to him as the team prepares for the final match of a series it has already lost 2-0. “It was news to me as well. I also came to know about it later. Since the PCB made the decision, they can explain it better,” Babar said at the pre-match press conference in Birmingham.
The PCB released Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad after Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Lord’s. England won the second Test by 194 runs to take an unbeatable lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan’s batting was a major concern in the defeat, with the side failing to reach 200 in either innings. The result prompted the PCB to overhaul the squad for the series finale and introduce several new faces.
Babar defends his record amid form questions
The squad changes also triggered questions about Babar’s own place in the team, particularly after his poor showing at Lord’s. When asked why he remained in the side despite recent struggles while other players had been released over their performances, Babar highlighted his contribution in Pakistan’s previous Test series.
“If we’re talking about performers, I think I was the Player of the Series last time,” he said.
Babar had earned Player of the Series honours against the West Indies after scoring 193 runs at an average of 96.50. He was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in that series and played a key role in the team’s win in the second Test.
His return in the current series, however, has been disappointing. He scored only 8 runs in the first innings at Lord’s before adding 6 in the second as Pakistan were dismissed cheaply while chasing 389.
With the series beyond Pakistan’s reach, Babar and his team now have one final opportunity to avoid a 3-0 defeat and finish the England tour with a win at Edgbaston.
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