Babar Azam Likely to be Dropped for Second Test Against England – Startup Pakistan

Babar Azam is expected to be dropped for the second Test against England after Pakistan’s heavy defeat in Multan. Despite the support of captain Shan Masood and coach Jason Gillespie, the new selection committee believes Babar could use a break to rediscover his form. He has not scored a half-century in Test cricket since December 2022.

Babar has been struggling with his batting recently, going 18 innings without scoring fifty, and his average since 2023 has dropped below 21. His time as captain has also been challenging. After stepping down following the 2023 ODI World Cup, he briefly returned as captain but then resigned again.

In addition to Babar’s possible exclusion, other changes are expected for the second Test. Abrar Ahmed is unlikely to play due to being hospitalized, and there are concerns about Shaheen Afridi’s form. Pakistan’s team will need to make adjustments ahead of the second Test, which is scheduled to start on October 15 in Multan.

These decisions reflect the team’s efforts to address its recent struggles and make a comeback in the series, with the selection committee looking for ways to improve performance on both the batting and bowling fronts.