Fakhar Zaman expressed his frustration and disappointment after reports surfaced that Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, was dropped for the 2nd and 3rd Tests against England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the decision, along with the exclusion of pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving analysts questioning the move.
Fakhar Zaman took to social media, comparing the situation with India's handling of Virat Kohli's form slump, arguing that Babar deserved the same support.
BET NOW: Bet here on the ongoing PAK vs ENG Test series and win cash bonuses
Why did Fakhar Zaman compare Babar Azam to Virat Kohli?
Fakhar Zaman made a direct comparison between Babar Azam and India's Virat Kohli, who endured a poor run of form between 2020 and 2023 but was never dropped from the Indian Test side.
He highlighted that despite Kohli’s struggles, averaging 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50 over those three years, India continued to back their star player.
Fakhar argued that benching Babar, Pakistan's premier batsman, could send a harmful message to the team and fans. He urged the management to support their captain rather than hit the panic button.
It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan…
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024
How has Babar Azam performed in Test matches since 2023?
Babar Azam has faced a challenging period across formats, including Tests, where he hasn’t managed a half-century in his last 18 innings.
In the previous Test against England, Babar was dismissed after struggling to cope with deliveries challenging both his edges. Even on a flat Multan pitch, he was unable to capitalize and score the big runs expected from him.
MORE: Explained: Why Rohit Sharma will miss a Test against Australia during Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
In that Test, he managed only 35 runs across two innings. This extended his streak to 18 innings without a score over 50. His average in nine Tests in 2024 is below 21.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 17 | 352 | 20.70 | 0 | 0 | 41 |
Who replaced Babar and the other dropped players in the squad?
Alongside Babar Azam, pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi were also dropped from the squad. Wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed was unavailable due to dengue fever.
To fill the gaps, Pakistan called up uncapped players Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, while also including fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan.
BET NOW: Bet here on the upcoming IND vs NZ Test series and win cash bonuses
Additionally, Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who had been released after the first Test, were brought back into the squad to strengthen Pakistan’s options ahead of the remaining matches.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >