Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Breaking his silence after being dropped from Pakistan Test squad, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi hoped that the team lead by Shan Masood would mount a formidable fight in the second Test match against England in Multan.
Four players, including Shaheen and Babar Azam, were cut from the team for the series’ final two Test matches.
Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed were also released by Pakistan in addition to Shaheen and Babar.
“Wishing Team Pakistan the best of luck! Rooting for a strong comeback. We’re all cheering for you!” Shaheen wrote on X.
A newly-constituted selection committee, which was established hours after Pakistan’s humiliating loss to England in the first Test at Multan by an innings and 47 runs, made the alterations to the team. Pakistan is currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings and trailing England 0-1 in their three-match Test series.
According to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the selectors have chosen to rest Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz in light of their current form and fitness as well as Pakistan’s upcoming responsibilities in the 2024-25 international cricket season.
Babar had not reached a half-century in a Test match since 2022 and had slumped in performance during the year he was appointed captain. He resigned from the position in June following Pakistan’s elimination from the T20 World Cup in the group stages. In contrast, Shaheen has had difficulty regaining his rhythm as a wicket-taker in Test matches after his knee injury.
Starting on Tuesday, the second Test match between Pakistan and England will take place in Multan on the same pitch as the first match of the series.
