Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) boss and former captain, Ramiz Rajahas criticized the decision to abandon Babar Azam of the Test team, calling it a “knee-jerk reaction” by the national selectors and PCB to the star batsman’s poor run of form in the format.
He Pakistan The selectors’ shocking decision came after Babar struggled to find form with the bat as the former captain failed to score a fifty in almost two years, leading to his omission from the Test squad for the second and third test of the ongoing home series against England.
Ramiz Raja slams PCB for dropping Babar Azam from Test side
Apart from Babar Azam, the national selectors also dropped star bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the remaining matches of the ongoing England series.
However, amid the brouhaha, Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood insisted that Babar was simply “rested” rather than going down and reaffirmed that the star batsman will remain their number one batsman.
In an official statement from the PCB, selector Aaqib Javed emphasized that the decision was taken to prioritize the best interests of Pakistan cricket and the players. He stated: “We have taken the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
It should have been Babar Azam’s call: Ramiz Raja
Meanwhile, Ramiz Raja did not hold back and criticized the PCB and the national selectors for dropping Babar Azam from the team in the middle of the England home series. The commentator said that even if Babar wanted to take a break, the decision should have been made by the right-hander himself.
Speaking candidly on Sky Sports, Ramiz Raja stated: “It should have been Babar’s decision whether he wanted timeout from the playing XI or not. I think it was an instinctive reaction; new selectors on; “The general opinion was that he needed to rest and they removed him from the team completely.”
Meanwhile, Raja has expressed concern that Babar Azam’s removal from the team could have major consequences for sponsors. He emphasized that Babar is mainly the only marketable star in the Pakistan cricket team and without his presence, the viewership of the second Test against England will be affected. Raja noted that sponsors are worried right now.
I don’t see any sellable product in Pakistan team: Ramiz Raja
Raja concluded by saying: “Now we have to understand that he sells cricket for Pakistan and this debate that is going on right now in Pakistan about whether there will be another failure for Babar Azam or whether he will come back, and that keeps things interesting.
Right now, I don’t see any sellable product in the Pakistan team because the sponsors are also a bit cautious because Pakistan has been on a losing streak and there are no real superstars playing in this test match now.“
“It should have been Babar’s decision” 👀
Ramiz Raja talks about Babar Azam’s elimination from the second test 🇵🇰 pYodo.twYottmyr.doohmetro/5qyesandnorth6YesrjMETRO
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) ohdotohbmyr 15, 2024
Notably, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first in the second Test against England in Multan. Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood fell for just seven and three runs respectively.
However, fifties from Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam brought some stability to their innings against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium.