'Rooting For A Strong Comeback': Shaheen Afridi Ahead Of 2nd Test Against England
Pakistan also released Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed apart from 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.
The changes to Pakistan’s squad were made by a newly-formed selection committee, formed hours after the hosts’ suffered an embarrassing loss by an innings and 47 runs to England in the first Test at Multan. Pakistan are 0-1 behind in the three-match Test series against England and are also at the bottom of the ongoing World Test Championship standings.
A statement from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar, Shaheen, Naseem and Sarfaraz.
Babar had not scored a Test half-century since 2022 and has seen a dip in form in a year where he was made captain and then quit the post after Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit in this year’s T20 World Cup in June. Shaheen, meanwhile, has struggled to find his wicket-taking groove in Tests since returning from a knee injury.
The second Test between Pakistan and England will be played on the same pitch as the series opener in Multan from Tuesday.
Babar had not scored a Test half-century since 2022 and has seen a dip in form in a year where he was made captain and then quit the post after Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit in this year’s T20 World Cup in June. Shaheen, meanwhile, has struggled to find his wicket-taking groove in Tests since returning from a knee injury.
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Article Source: IANS