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Rested or Injured? Pakistan Cricket Faces Babar Azam Questions
16 Mar
Summary
- Confusion surrounds Babar Azam's ODI exclusion from Bangladesh tour.
- Selectors claim Azam was injured, while coach cites rest for youngsters.
- Fans and former players demand clarity from PCB on the decision.
Confusion has gripped Pakistan cricket concerning the reasons behind star batter Babar Azam's exclusion from the recent three-match ODI series in Bangladesh, which Pakistan lost 1-2. The ambiguity stems from conflicting statements by selectors, the head coach, and Azam himself.
Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad without clarifying if Babar and other seniors were rested or dropped. Senior selector Aaqib Javed later informed the media that Babar and Fakhar Zaman were reported as injured after the T20 World Cup, prompting calls for a PCB investigation into their fitness.
However, Babar Azam posted images online, seemingly questioning Javed's account of his fitness. Following Pakistan's narrow defeat in the final ODI, head coach Mike Hesson offered a different explanation, stating that senior players, including Azam, were rested to provide opportunities for younger cricketers.
The team management indeed fielded four uncapped players and two debutants during the series, with Hesson expressing satisfaction with their performance. This lack of clear communication has fueled speculation, with former players and fans urging the PCB to clarify the decision-making process and address claims of personal vendettas against Azam.
