Pakistan’s recent victory over England in the second Test at Multan has sparked a mix of jubilation and controversy. The triumph ended a string of Test defeats, but it also reignited criticism of former captain Babar Azam and alleged favoritism during his tenure.
After Pakistan’s loss in the first Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) new selection panel, led by former pacer Aaqib Javed, dropped Babar from the Test squad. Other notable omissions included fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, as well as wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The move proved fruitful as debutant Kamran Ghulam scored a century, while the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 152-run victory within four days. Noman and Sajid claimed all 20 English wickets, with Noman taking 11 and Sajid claiming nine.
However, the win has fueled further criticism of Babar, prompting veteran pacer Mohammad Amir to speak out. “Please end these petty talks that the team won because Babar or other players were not in the team,” Amir wrote on social media. “We played with better planning, took the home advantage, and won.”
Amir urged fans to focus on performance rather than personal attacks on players. The three-match series is now level at 1-1, with the deciding Test scheduled to begin on October 24 in Rawalpindi.
