The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a bold decision to rest four of its top players for the remaining two Test matches against England. The move, which includes dropping captain Babar Azam, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, and pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, has raised eyebrows in the cricket world.
The PCB has defended the decision, stating that it is in the best interests of the team. A PCB spokesperson said that the players were “spared from the team to give them rest so that they can come back afresh.”
The decision comes after Pakistan suffered a humiliating innings and 47-run defeat in the first Test at Rawalpindi. The team’s performance was widely criticized, with many calling for changes to the playing XI.
The PCB has also announced a new selection committee, which will be responsible for selecting the team for the remaining two Tests. The new committee includes former players Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and Hassan Cheema.
The four players who have been dropped have been replaced by younger players, including Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, and Kamran Ghulam. These players have limited experience at the international level, but the PCB believes that they have the potential to succeed.
The PCB’s decision to rest its top players is a gamble. However, it is a gamble that the board believes is necessary to ensure the long-term success of the team.
