Shahid Afridi reacts as Pakistan rest Babar, Shaheen and Naseem in England Tests

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has backed Pakistan selectors’ decision to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the final two Tests against England at home. In news that created waves in Pakistan’s cricket fraternity, a newly appointed selection committee left out senior players, including their former captain Babar Azam, from the last two Tests.

The timing of the decision, which came just after the humiliating defeat in the first Test in Multan, divided opinion in Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity. The official statement by Aqib Javed, one of the senior members of the selection committee, mentioned that the three players and Sarfaraz Ahmed were rested to allow them to “regain their fitness, confidence and composure”, but questions have been raised about the reason for the call. she was caught in the middle of a high-profile series.

“Support the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and prolong the careers of these champion players but also provides a great opportunity to test and prepare emerging talent, building a strong bench for the future,” Shahid Afridi said in a post on X.

Pakistan named their playing XI for the second Test with 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam set to make his debut and replace Babar in the batting unit. Paksitan have named a spin bowling unit with speculation that the Multan pitch will help the spinners.