'No.1 player' Babar Azam not dropped but rested for England Tests: Azhar Mahmood

Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has claimed that star batter Babar Azam has been rested and not dropped from the squad for the remainder of the England Test series. Babar has been struggling to find form in Tests.

In Short

• Babar, Shaheen and Naseem were dropped from the squad
• Mahmood said that Babar is still Pakistan's No.1 player
• Mahmood claimed that Babar wanted to play the match

Pakistan's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has claimed that Babar Azam hasn't been dropped but rested for the remainder of the England series with the future tours in mind. The Pakistan cricket board dropped a bombshell on Sunday, October 13, when they revealed that Babar, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, were left out of the squad for the remainder of the ongoing series.

Babar Azam's form in Test cricket has been in decline since 2023, with the Pakistan skipper accumulating just 366 runs at a disappointing average of 20.33. His highest score in this period was 41, which came against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Babar's struggles have extended over 18 innings without a half-century, with his last significant performance being a 161-run knock on December 26, 2022, in the first Test against New Zealand in Karachi. His form woes continued in Pakistan's heavy defeat in the first Test against Multan, where he was dismissed for 30 and 5 in two innings, further highlighting his ongoing struggles.

Speaking at the press conference, Mahmood reiterated that Babar was still Pakistan's No.1 player and the decision to give him a rest was made looking at the team's future tours in mind. The assistant coach said that the same thing was done with Naseem and Shaheen as they wanted to go with spin and wanted to give the duo a rest.

"Babar is our No.1 player. There is no question about that. His technique and ability. If you look at Pakistan's FTP, there's a lot of cricket coming up. So, because of that, the selection committee decided that this was the best time to give Babar a rest. After that, we have to go to Australia and Zimbabwe and there is a South Africa tour as well. So that's important."

"If you look at the fast bowling, this was the third test under new management. Before that we were also struggling as we wanted to know how to get 20 wickets. So now we think we have more options with spin. There were also a few niggles. Naseem had a few niggles and Shaheen was playing a lot of cricket. So we decided to rest him," said Mahmood.

England's Playing XI for second Test

Babar was willing to play

Mahmood also said that Babar was rested and not dropped, and the team management understood he needed a rest. Mahmood also said that Babar wanted to play the match but it was in the best interest of him and the team to give him a rest.

"He hasn't been dropped. He has been rested. The management also understands that there has been a lot happening in the last few months. Mentally, even if you say you're strong, it still goes on in the back of the mind. He was willing to play. But it was the decision for him and Pakistan team to give him a rest so that he can come fresh. Because after this, we're playing till April next year," said Mahmood.

The second Test will begin in Multan from October 15, Tuesday.