"It should have been Babar's call" - Ramiz Raja voices displeasure over Babar Azam's exclusion for remainder of PAK vs ENG 2024 Test series
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja feels ace batter Babar Azam's exclusion from the Test squad for the remainder of the England home series should have been his call. Following the innings defeat in the opening Test at Multan, the Pakistan selectors made the brave decision to exclude the star trio of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the next two Tests.
Babar has been in woeful form in the red-ball format, dating back to the beginning of last year. The 30-year-old has averaged under 21 in nine Tests since 2023 with no half-centuries in 17 innings.
Speaking about his exclusion before the start of play on Day 1 of the second Test, Ramiz Raja told Sky Sports:
"It should have been Babar's call whether he wanted time out of the playing XI or not. It was a kneejerk reaction, new selectors in. The general opinion was he needed rest and he was taken out of the squad completely."
Ramiz also stressed the importance of Babar's presence in selling Pakistan cricket as a product.
"We need to understand he sells cricket for Pakistan and there is always this debate happening in Pakistan on whether it's going to be another failure for Babar Azam or whether he is going to make a comeback and that keeps things interesting. Right now, I don't see any sellable comodity in this Pakistan team. The sponsors are little wary as well because Pakistan have been on a losing sequence and there are no real superstars playing in this Test match," he stated.
Babar's struggles have mirrored Pakistan's as the side has lost its last six Tests, including three at home.
"He was willing to play" - Azhar Mahmood on Babar Azam
Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood confirmed that Babar Azam was willing to play but the management decided to rest him with the packed international schedule in mind.
The champion batter scored only 35 runs across the two innings in the first England Test as Pakistan lost by an innings and 47 runs despite scoring 556 in the first innings.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the second England Test, Mahmood was quoted by India Today as saying:
"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."
Meanwhile, the second Test at Multan has just begun with Pakistan winning a potentially crucial toss and electing to bat first.