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In a daring move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left out veteran players Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam from the Test team for the last two matches against England. Pakistan's six straight losses in the format and the star players' dismal performance served as catalysts for the change. Pakistan's strategy was effective as they defeated England in the second Test to break their losing skid. In the second Test, Kamran Ghulam—who took Babar Azam's place—scored a century, and Sajid Khan and Noman Ali both made significant contributions with the ball.
It is currently unclear if the senior players will be given a way out of the white-ball formats as well, given Pakistan's success in the recent series even without its senior stars. It has come to light that the senior players are under extreme pressure to perform well in the next opportunities or risk facing the same consequences in white-ball events. However, PCB would be reluctant to make such tough decisions, especially a few series before the Champions Trophy, given the next Australia series, where Pakistan would play three ODIs and as many T20Is. In the long run, nevertheless, it will not benefit the seniors to sit out the series.
PCB to rest Babar, Shaheen for ZIM tour?
In order to put the young squad to the test in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan is also probably going to give the experienced players a break. The PCB plans to rest Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen, and Babar from the Zimbabwe tour, among other seniors, according to a report in Cricket Pakistan. The Men in Green will play three T20Is and three ODIs on the tour.
The PCB's decision is a strong message to the players to not take their position for granted. If the big guns do not do well, players who perform well on the Zimbabwe tour will push the underperforming senior players to their breaking point and may even remove them from the team.
Babar Azam resigned as captain of the Pakistani team in the wake of harsh criticism for the country's disastrous performance in the T20 World Cup, and the team will be led by a new captain for the Australia series. There could be an announcement on the new skipper really soon.
