PAK vs ENG: Former Pakistan legend calls for Babar Azam's removal from national team

The remarks come after Babar’s string of low scores in Pakistan’s recent Test series against Bangladesh

PHOTO: AFP

Babar Azam's position in the Pakistan cricket team has come under heavy scrutiny, with cricketing icon Zaheer Abbas publicly calling for his removal from the squad due to a prolonged dip in form.

Abbas, known as the "Asian Bradman" for his legendary batting prowess, voiced his opinion at the Cricket Predicta Conclave in Ajman, UAE, during the celebration of the international cricket talk show’s hundredth episode.

"Babar Azam should be dropped from the team," Abbas said at the event. "If he's not scoring runs, because if he's our main batsman and he's out of form, he should be out of the team."

The remarks come after Babar’s string of low scores in Pakistan’s recent Test series against Bangladesh, where he managed 0, 22, 11, and 31, leading to Pakistan's defeat in the series. Adding to the pressure, Babar’s name was recently dropped from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters for the first time in years.

The downturn in Babar's form has sparked wider discussions, especially after Pakistan’s disappointing early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Consecutive defeats to the USA and arch-rival India led to Pakistan’s group-stage elimination, compounding the criticisms.

Reports suggest that Babar’s role as white-ball captain is now under review, with speculation rife about his potential replacement ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia in November.

Abbas also weighed in on the ongoing comparisons between Babar Azam and Indian superstar Virat Kohli, dismissing them as "baseless" given their current form.

"The comparisons are pointless, Virat Kohli scores in every match, the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match, so then how can you compare? The person who scores, he is the bigger player," he said.

It is worth noting that the upcoming Test series against England is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, with the first Test scheduled to take place in Multan from October 7-11.

Pakistan squad for first Test against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zahid Mehmood.

Pakistan, England Test series schedule: