Babar Azam ‘rested not dropped’ as Pakistan explain selection reshuffle

The new Pakistan selection committee announced on Sunday that there would be a new look to the squad following defeat in the first Test in Multan, with Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah all rested.

England's remarkable and record-setting victory in Multan

And assistant coach Azhar Mahmood says that the decision to leave the players out is about long-term strategy, with the selectors feeling that a rest would be hugely beneficial for players who are expected to play a great deal in the coming season.

"Babar is our number one player, there is no question about that,” Mahmood said. “About his technique and ability.

“If you look at Pakistan's FTP (Future Tours Programme), 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 this, we have to go to Australia and Zimbabwe and there is a South Africa tour as well. So that's important.

"He hasn't been dropped. He has been rested," Mahmood added. "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 until April next year.”

Naseem and Shaheen were both given a heavy workload as England racked up a mammoth 823/7 in last week’s first Test in Multan.

And the assistant coach says that the need to bring more spin into the team has given the selectors the chance to rest their two strike bowlers ahead of matches on pitches that could potentially utilise their skillset better.

"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,” Mahmood said. “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.”

Pakistan Squad (for 2nd and 3rd Tests):

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.