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Fakhar Zaman Opposes Babar Azam's Test Snub, Urges PCB To Learn From BCCI

Fakhar Zaman opposed Babar Azam's Test Snub [Source: Screengrab/@ahtashamriaz22/X]Fakhar Zaman opposed Babar Azam's Test Snub [Source: Screengrab/@ahtashamriaz22/X]

In a significant development, Pakistan have dropped their premier batter Babar Azam for the final two Tests against England on home soil. Led by Shan Masood, the Men in Green made wholesale changes to their squad from the last Test, excluding big names like Babar, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah. 

'India Didn’t Bench Virat Kohli During His Rough Stretch' - Fakhar Zaman

Meanwhile, swashbuckling opening batter Fakhar Zaman considered Babar's exclusion unfair. Taking to his official handle on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Fakhar opposed Pakistan's tactic to drop Babar for the remaining England Tests. 

The explosive southpaw highlighted how the BCCI persisted with an out-of-form Virat Kohli during his rough patch. He also urged the board to back Babar in his tough times, reckoning his axing would send a negative message across the team. 

"It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar Zaman tweeted. 

"If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," he added. 

Babar Azam's Torrid Run Leads To His Exclusion From Tests

Babar Azam has been struggling with poor form since last year, being unable to slam a single fifty. The stylish right-handed batter, who was once the linchpin of Pakistan's batting unit across formats, has struck only 352 runs in his last 17 Test innings at an abysmal average of 20.70. 

Therefore, considering Babar's prolonged rough patch, the PCB had to make a tough call and replace him with a proven performer from the domestic circuit. In his absence, Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam will vie for the number four batter's role in Pakistan's playing XI.