Pakistan is playing the second Test of the IND vs ENG series on Tuesday in Multan, and the biggest headline is the exclusion of their star batter, Babar Azam. The Pakistan team will be without their top player, ‘Bobzy’, in what is being considered a bold move by the selectors. Along with Babar, key bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi are also missing from the squad, leaving Pakistan with a weak side against a strong English team.
Ramiz Raja questions Babar’s exclusion
Former Pakistan cricketer and renowned broadcaster, Ramiz Raja, has expressed his concerns regarding Babar’s exclusion from the squad. Raja questioned the selectors’ decision to drop Babar, suggesting that the star batter should have had a say in whether he wanted to take a break or not.
“I think it should have been Babar’s call whether he wanted to take time off or not. This seems like a knee-jerk reaction from the new selectors. The general opinion was that he needed rest, and now he’s been taken out of the squad entirely,” Raja added.
"It should've been Babar's call" 👀
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 15, 2024
Ramiz Raja discusses Babar Azam being dropped from the second Test 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/5Qsyn6SrJM
Babar’s Marketability and Pakistan’s struggles
Raja also highlighted the importance of Babar Azam to Pakistan cricket, both on and off the field. “We need to understand that Babar sells cricket for Pakistan. That’s why there’s this ongoing debate: will Babar face another failure, or will he make a strong comeback? That’s what keeps things interesting right now,” he said.
Babar’s absence raises questions about the current star power within the Pakistan team. Raja pointed out that sponsors may also be concerned about the lack of marketable superstars, especially given Pakistan’s recent poor form.
“I don’t see any marketable superstars in this Pakistan team at the moment, which is a concern for sponsors. Pakistan has been on a losing streak, and without any real superstars in this Test match, things are looking tough,” he concluded.
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