Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has voiced his support for the national selectors' decision to rest key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the remaining two Test matches against England. 

Afridi took to social media platform 'X' to commend the move, stating it would not only protect the longevity of these star players but also open doors for young talent to be nurtured.

"Supporting the selectors' decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future," Afridi posted on X.

Babar Azam’s recent form in Tests has been under scrutiny, having gone 18 innings without a half-century. In the first Test against England, Babar managed scores of 30 and 5, as Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat, losing by an innings and 47 runs after England declared at 823-7.

The decision to rest the trio comes just days after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revamped their selection panel, adding former pacer Saleem Javed and Azhar Ali to work alongside Asad Shafiq. Selector Aaqib Javed explained, “We've made the decision to rest Babar Azam and a few other players,” in a statement released by the PCB.

Babar, who once topped the ICC rankings in all three formats, has seen his form dip in recent times. He has averaged under 21 in his last nine Test matches, scoring only 126 runs in six innings during Pakistan's tour of Australia and 64 runs in two home Tests against Bangladesh. Despite his struggles, he remains the top-ranked batsman in one-day internationals.