PAK vs ENG: Former chief selector slams PCB's decision to exclude Babar Azam from Test squad

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Former chief selector of Pakistan, Iqbal Qasim, has voiced his disappointment over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to exclude former captain and star batter Babar Azam from the national team's squad following their series opener loss against England in Multan.

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Qasim expressed his concerns about the PCB's treatment of top-performing players. 

"Our mindset has become such that whoever is the top performer is made the captain. But when that cricketer faces a bad phase, he is removed like a fly from milk. We’ve become accustomed to seeing Babar Azam score hundreds and fifties, and even his 'bad' innings are around 30-35 runs, while other batsmen struggle to even reach that. Why is the criteria for Babar set so high that if he scores 100, he will stay in the team, and he has to score 100 in every match?" Qasim said.

The former cricketers emphasized the importance of supporting players during tough times. 

“Every great cricketer, including Zaheer Abbas, has faced tough times. During those times, we need to support them and boost their morale. Why is the standard for Babar Azam so high that only a hundred keeps him in the team? You can't form a team without your superstars like Majid Khan, Imran Khan, or Javed Miandad,” he stated.

He further elaborated on Babar's contributions to the team, saying, “My personal opinion is that Babar has served as captain, reached a good position, and has been a top performer, ranked number 1 in the world. He has countless fans in India, England, and Pakistan. He needed support; we should have played him, even if you removed him from captaincy. As a player, he deserves a spot. If you say he doesn't deserve a spot as a player, that's just unfair.”

Discussing the team's bowling attack, Qasim acknowledged the challenges faced by young bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah who were also excluded from the team after first Test defeat, stating, “They seem fatigued, their pace has dropped, and they are struggling to take wickets—giving them rest was the right call.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming white-ball series against Australia later in November, Qasim stressed the need for experienced players. “When we go to Australia, we'll be facing deliveries coming at speeds exceeding 150 km/h. For this reason, we will need our senior cricketers on the tour, and it's crucial to give them the confidence they need to regain their form.”

Pakistan's cricket team is scheduled to depart for Melbourne on October 29, with training sessions lined up at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 1 and 2. An optional practice session is also set for November 3, leading into the first ODI against Australia on November 4.

Australia-Pakistan White-Ball Series Schedule:

ODI Series

• 4 November: MCG, Melbourne (D/N)
• 8 November: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)
• 10 November: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)

T201 Series

• 14 November: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)
• 16 November: SCG, Sydney (N)
• 18 November: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)

Following the tour of Australia, Pakistan will head to Zimbabwe for a series comprising three ODIs and three T20 matches, set to run from November 20 to December 5.