Chaos unfolds as new selection committee makes shocking decisions

After suffering brutal loss at the hands of England in the first Test of the three-match series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were left with no choice but to make tough decisions after encountering numerous defeats.

As the newly appointed selection committee convened, an unexpected wave of chaos swept through the team, leaving players in shock over the latest team announcements. Yesterday marked the debut of the committee's selections, which included a controversial decision to rest prominent players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the upcoming second and third Tests against England.

The decision has sent ripples of surprise throughout the camp. Sources close to the situation revealed that Mir Hamza was also set to be dropped by Sunday morning, having been informed of his exclusion after not being selected for the first Test. Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been feeling under the weather with a cold and mild fever, had communicated his condition to the team management but was still surprised to find himself excluded from both matches.

Adding to the confusion, the pitch for the second Test is expected to be spin-friendly, leading to speculation about the strategy behind resting the team’s leading pacers. Shaheen had anticipated being rested for the second Test but expressed shock upon learning he would miss both matches.

Similarly, while Naseem Shah's shoulder issues have been a concern, sources suggest that he does not have a serious enough injury to warrant exclusion from both games. Both pacers initially believed they would return to action after just one match, a hope that has now been dashed.

The situation escalated when a senior player reportedly contacted one of the selectors, questioning his exclusion from the squad. The player suggested that being rested for just one match could have been a strategic decision to help him regain his form. In response, selectors indicated that there is still a possibility of calling him back for the third Test.

In a surprising twist, sources indicate that Babar Azam did not request to be rested and remains eager to represent Pakistan. Captain Shan Masood and coach Jason Gillespie were also reportedly against the decision to drop Babar, further highlighting the disconnect between the selectors and the team leadership.

Adding to the bewilderment, Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has been performing exceptionally in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, was also sent home without a chance to prove himself in the longer format series. The decision to overlook such key players has left the squad unsettled and raised concerns about its potential impact on performance in the upcoming matches.