‘Stay Strong Beta’: Pakistan Legend Rallies Behind Babar Azam After Not Being Picked for Last Two Tests vs ENG

By Sandy Verma On Oct 19, 2024

Pakistan cricket legend Saeed Anwar stepped up to offer encouraging words to Babar Azam following his recent omission from the Test squad. Babar managed to score only 35 runs in the opening Test against England in Multan as Pakistan lost by an innings and 47 runs despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. This performance led to the decision by the selectors to drop Babar Azam from the remaining two Tests of the series.

In response to the news, Saeed Anwar took to X to share a message of support for Babar. “This too shall pass, stay strong Babar Azam beta,” he wrote.

Babar was removed from the squad after a selection committee meeting in Lahore after the first Test loss. Reacting to the news, Anwar reminded Babar that a low moment could occur in anybody’s sporting career. “This has been happening in anybody’s career, you will bounce back Inshallah,” he concluded.

This too shall pass, Stay strong Babar Azam Beta. This has been happening in anybody’s career, you will bounce back INSHAHALLAH. https://t.co/5BSSNW4aXI— Saeed Anwar (@ImSaeedAnwar) October 13, 2024

Babar Azam’s poor form in red-ball cricket for Pakistan has lasted for a while now. He has not scored a half-century in his last 18 Test innings. He managed scores of 30 and 5 in the Test versus England in Multan. While some felt the star batter’s removal was justified, others claimed his removal to be rather foolish.

Former English opener Michael Vaughan appeared shocked by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision. Sharing his opinion on X, Vaughan wrote, “So Pakistan haven’t won in a while. Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in Babar Azam. I guess Pakistan Cricket is full of surprises but this tops the lot. Absolutely stupid decision. Unless he has asked for a break!!!”

So Pakistan haven’t won in a while .. Go 1 nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in @babarazam258 .. I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises but this tops the lot .. absolutely stupid decision .. unless he has asked for a break !!!— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 13, 2024

Apart from Babar Azam, Pakistan have also decided to drop Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Abrar Ahmed for the remaining two Tests versus England. The new additions include Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali and Sajid Khan.

Pakistan will face England in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Ground from Tuesday, October 15. Having lost their previous series against Bangladesh at home, Pakistan will now be eyeing redemption against the Englishmen.