Babar Azam Dropped; Pakistan's Probable XI For 2nd Test Vs England

Babar Azam will likely be dropped for 2nd Test Vs England [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]Babar Azam will likely be dropped for 2nd Test Vs England [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]

According to emerging reports, Pakistan are likely to drop ace batter Babar Azam from their playing XI for the second Test against England in Multan. Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan had a disastrous start to the series, losing the opening game by an innings and 47 runs. 

Despite posting a whopping 556-run total in their first innings, the hosts followed it up with shambolic performances across departments, suffering an embarrassing defeat in front of their home crowd. 

Who Will Replace Babar Azam In PAK Playing XI?

According to ESPN Cricinfo, prominent batter Babar Azam is all set to lose his place from the Test side due to his poor batting form. The right-handed batter hasn't struck a single half-century since 2023, letting his team down with a prolonged rough patch. So, from Pakistan's perspective, it definitely makes sense to replace him with an in-form batter. 

Currently, Pakistan have two alternative batting options in their reserve, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Huraira. However, with Mohammad Rizwan offering a more reliable keeper-batter option, Pakistan are unlikely to bring Sarfaraz back into the Test XI. In such a scenario, Huraira seems the frontrunner to replace Babar for the penultimate affair. 

Although Huraira is a top-order batter, slotting him at number four will allow him to showcase his mettle at a relatively easier position. In another way, skipper Shan Masood can drop himself down to number four, making room for Huraira at three. Either of these moves would make sense, considering Huraira's ability to perform in red-ball cricket. 

Will Pakistan Drop Abrar Ahmed And Aamir Jamal? 

Pakistan had a forgettable outing with the ball in the first Test, as England racked up a mountain of runs, thanks to marathon knocks from Joe Root and Harry Brook. Abrar Ahmed, in particular, seemed ineffective, with the English batters toying with him on a track having some assistance for the spinners. 

As Abrar went wicketless and conceded 174 runs at an economy of almost five, he might be dropped, with Noman Ali replacing him in the playing XI. However, despite his expensive bowling spell, Aamir Jamal might retain his place because of his superior batting attributes. The seam-bowling all-rounder struck a valiant fifty in the first Test and would like to replicate a similar success with the ball. 

Update: Pakistan have dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah for the final two Tests against England. Mir Hamza will likely come in for Shaheen, while Naseem might be replaced by either Zahid Mehmood or Mohammad Ali, depending on Multan's playing conditions. Kamran Ghulam is also an option the hosts might consider as Babar's replacement. 

Pakistan's Probable XI For 2nd Test Vs England

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Mohammad Huraira/Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Agha Salman, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Noman Ali, Zahid Mehmood