Babar Azam Dropped for Second Test Against England

Following a significant loss to England in the first Test, the Pakistan cricket team is likely to drop captain Babar Azam from the squad for the upcoming match set to begin on October 15 in Multan. The newly formed selection committee convened after the defeat to discuss potential changes, ultimately recommending Babar's exclusion due to his poor form, which has seen him average just 21 runs in nine Tests this year and fail to score a half-century since December 2022. Despite backing from Test captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie, the majority opinion within the committee favored giving Babar time away from the national side to regain his form. This decision comes amid broader discussions about the squad, including potential changes to the bowling lineup. Babar's recent performance, including only 35 runs in the first Test, has intensified scrutiny about his place in the team, prompting urgent calls for a reshuffle. The situation highlights the pressure on Pakistan cricket as they aim to recover and improve their standing in the World Test Championship.