Pakistan’s decision to exclude star batsman Babar Azam from the upcoming Test series against England has raised eyebrows, with former England captain Nasser Hussain expressing his surprise. Hussain believes that while Azam is currently out of form, he is a player who can rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.
Azam’s exclusion, along with that of strike bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, was a bold move by Pakistan’s new selection panel. Hussain suggests that England may not be too concerned about Azam’s absence, given his recent struggles. However, he warns that players of Azam’s caliber often find a way to score runs when it matters most.
Azam’s form has dipped since he was appointed captain and Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in June. He has not scored a Test half-century since 2022, despite an impressive overall record that includes nine centuries and 26 half-centuries in 55 matches.
Meanwhile, Shaheen has struggled to regain his wicket-taking rhythm after recovering from a knee injury. Pakistan’s decision to use the same contentious Multan pitch for the second Test has also drawn criticism from Hussain. He emphasizes the need for a more balanced pitch that offers something for both batsmen and bowlers.
“Test cricket cannot afford another game like the one we had last week,” Hussain wrote. “There has to be a balance between bat and ball, and that means the pitch has to offer bowlers something at both ends of the game: movement for the seamers at the start, turn for the spinners at the end.”
Pakistan will be desperate to level the series against England, but they will need to find a way to overcome the absence of their star players and the challenges posed by the Multan pitch.
