Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi hoped Shan Masood’s side would make a big comeback in the second Test against England in Multan. Shaheen was one of four players, including Babar Azam, who was removed from the squad for the final two Tests of the series. In addition to Shaheen and Babar, Pakistan released Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed. “Best of luck, Team Pakistan! I am rooting for a big return. “We are all rooting for you!” Shaheen wrote about X.
Team Pakistan, best of luck! I am rooting for a big return. We are all cheering for you, Pakistan Zindabad. A newly created selection committee made the alterations to Pakistan’s roster hours after the hosts suffered a humbling defeat by an innings and 47 runs to England in the first Test at Multan. Pakistan is 0-1 down in the three-match Test series against England and is also at the bottom of the current World Test Championship standings.
According to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the selectors have decided to rest Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz due to their current form and fitness, as well as their upcoming duties in the 2024-25 international cricket season.
Babar had not scored a Test half-century since 2022, and his form had dipped in a year in which he was appointed captain and then resigned after Pakistan lost in the group stage of this year’s T20 World Cup in June. Shaheen, however, has yet to regain his Test wicket-taking rhythm after returning from a knee injury.
The second Test between Pakistan and England will begin on Tuesday in Multan, on the same pitch as the series opener. Pakistan squad for second and third Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali