As Pakistan looks ahead to the remainder of the Test series against England, the absence of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah presents both challenges and opportunities
The team will need to regroup quickly and find ways to compete without their star players, relying on the depth of their squad to overcome England’s challenge.
While the decision to rest Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem has been met with mixed reactions, it also reflects a broader shift in cricketing strategy.
The focus on player workload management, combined with the need to groom emerging talent, suggests that Pakistan is thinking long-term.
The challenge for the team now is to perform in the short term without their key players, while building a foundation for sustained success in the future.
In the end, Shahid Afridi’s endorsement of this bold move indicates that sometimes the toughest decisions are those made with the future in mind, even when immediate results are at stake. Only time will tell if this strategy pays off for Pakistan, but Afridi’s backing has certainly helped ease some of the criticism surrounding the decision.
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Shahid Afridi Endorses Rest for Key Players Amid Pakistan’s Test Struggles
Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has come forward in support of the national selectors’ decision to rest star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the remainder of the home Test series against England.1
The decision comes after Pakistan’s disheartening loss in the first match of the series, marking their sixth consecutive Test defeat. With the team trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, this bold move has sparked debates among cricket fans and pundits alike.
However, Afridi, a respected figure in Pakistan cricket, believes that the decision was made with long-term benefits in mind.
The Setback: Pakistan’s Continued Test Woes
Pakistan’s defeat in the series opener against England has intensified the scrutiny on the team’s performance in the longer format. The loss added to a growing list of Test failures for Pakistan, making it their sixth consecutive loss in this format.
England’s innings victory in the first Test not only widened the gap between the two teams but also raised concerns about Pakistan’s preparedness and resilience in Test cricket.
Captain Babar Azam, fast-bowling sensation Shaheen Afridi, and rising star Naseem Shah were all part of the squad for the first Test.
However, their contributions fell short of expectations, with Babar managing just 35 runs across two innings, and the bowling pair of Shaheen and Naseem delivering combined figures of 3/277 in 57 overs.
With these underwhelming performances, the selectors decided to rest the trio for the remaining two matches, sparking varied reactions from the cricketing community.
Congratulations to Kamran Ghulam on an incredible debut, marked with a remarkable Test century against England!
Your hard work and dedication have paid off, here’s to many more milestones ahead🏏💯 #KamranGhulam #PakvsEng pic.twitter.com/sUaxd5Lvdi
— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) October 15, 2024
Resting the Stars: A Bold and Controversial Move
The decision to rest Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah was met with surprise, as these three players are widely regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s squad in all formats of the game.
Many fans and cricket experts questioned the wisdom of leaving out such key figures, especially when the team is already under pressure following a string of poor performances.
However, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood offered clarity on the matter, confirming that the players were rested and not dropped due to poor form.
The decision was reportedly made with the long-term future in mind, allowing these crucial players to recover and recharge after a grueling cricketing calendar.
Shahid Afridi’s Public Support
Despite being personally connected to one of the players—Shaheen Afridi is his son-in-law—Shahid Afridi took to social media to publicly support the selectors’ decision.2
On his X handle (formerly Twitter), Afridi expressed his approval of resting the star trio, citing it as a strategy to ensure their longevity in international cricket.
“Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future,” Afridi posted.
His endorsement of the move reflects his understanding of the larger picture in cricket, where player workload management and injury prevention are becoming increasingly important in maintaining high performance over time.
Afridi’s voice, given his legendary status in the game, has resonated with many who initially questioned the decision.
Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem’s Struggles in the First Test
The first Test against England proved to be a tough outing for Pakistan, with none of the team’s stars able to shine.
Captain Babar Azam, who has been a consistent performer across formats, could only muster 35 runs across both innings, falling well below his usual standards. The pressure on Babar as both a captain and a key batsman has been immense, especially in a series of such magnitude.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, two of Pakistan’s most promising fast bowlers, also struggled to make an impact. Their combined figures of 3 wickets for 277 runs across 57 overs reflected the challenges they faced against a strong English batting lineup.
Both bowlers appeared fatigued and out of rhythm, which may have factored into the selectors’ decision to give them a break from the remaining Tests.
Naseem Shah: Player Workload Management
The concept of managing players’ workloads has gained significant importance in modern cricket, given the packed international schedules and the physical toll it takes on players.3
Fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, in particular, are at a higher risk of injury due to the demanding nature of their craft.
Frequent international tours, domestic leagues, and multi-format participation make it essential for teams to rotate players to avoid burnout.
Babar Azam, as captain and the team’s premier batsman, has also faced an enormous burden, leading Pakistan in all three formats. The mental and physical strain of such a role can diminish performance, particularly in a high-pressure environment like Test cricket.
Resting Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem aligns with a broader trend in international cricket, where teams prioritize the long-term well-being of their players over immediate results.
Opportunity for Emerging Talent
- One of the key benefits of resting senior players is the opportunity it creates for younger, less experienced players to step up.
- Pakistan, like other cricketing nations, is always on the lookout for new talent, and the absence of established stars opens the door for emerging players to prove themselves on the international stage.
- With Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem sitting out the remaining Tests, it gives the selectors a chance to assess the depth of their bench and identify players who can contribute to Pakistan’s success in the future.
- The inclusion of young players in high-stakes matches against a formidable opponent like England provides invaluable experience that can help build a stronger, more resilient squad.
- Shahid Afridi’s public support for the decision to rest key players highlights his understanding of the bigger picture in Pakistan cricket.
- Afridi, who captained Pakistan during his playing days, is no stranger to the pressures of leading a national team and managing player performances.
- By backing the move to rest Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, Afridi emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in building a team capable of long-term success.
- His endorsement also underscores the need to balance short-term results with the larger goal of sustaining player careers and ensuring that Pakistan’s best talents remain fit and available for the biggest international tournaments in the future.
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Naseem Shah: Pakistan’s Opening Test Defeat to England
In the first Test match between Pakistan and England at Multan, Pakistan found themselves on the wrong side of history.
Despite a strong start and promising individual performances, Pakistan crumbled in a remarkable defeat to England, setting several unwanted records.
The loss raised questions about their ability to capitalize on strong positions in Test cricket, as they succumbed to England’s aggressive batting and disciplined bowling. Here, we examine the key moments of the match and the numerous records that Pakistan set during this crushing defeat.
A Promising Start: Pakistan’s Imposing First Innings
The match began on a high note for Pakistan, as their batsmen took full advantage of favorable conditions to post an imposing total of 556 runs in their first innings.
Three of their key batsmen—Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Agha Salman—scored centuries, showcasing the strength and depth of their batting lineup. The hosts appeared to be in command of the game, with a foundation built for a potential victory.
Shafique’s classy century was a particular highlight, as the young opener displayed great composure and skill. Shan Masood, who has often been a mainstay for Pakistan in Test cricket, was equally brilliant, anchoring the innings with his calculated play. Agha Salman, relatively new to the Test arena, also made a mark with a superb century, boosting Pakistan’s confidence.
However, despite their monumental effort with the bat, Pakistan’s total was about to become part of an unwanted history.
Naseem Shah: England’s Aggressive Response
Batting Domination
While Pakistan’s 556 was an impressive total, England’s response was nothing short of spectacular.
Led by their aggressive brand of cricket under the leadership of Ben Stokes and the attacking mindset of their batsmen, England posted a massive 823/7 declared in their first innings.
This total was not only a display of England’s ruthless approach but also exposed Pakistan’s inability to contain the opposition’s onslaught.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root were the key architects of England’s batting dominance, with all of them contributing with crucial runs. England’s ability to keep the scoreboard ticking, coupled with their aggressive intent, left Pakistan’s bowlers helpless.
The visitors’ massive total gave them a lead of 267 runs, a deficit that weighed heavily on Pakistan going into their second innings.
This innings not only gave England a commanding position in the match but also signaled the first signs of Pakistan’s eventual capitulation.
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Dubious Records: Unwanted History for Pakistan
The most striking aspect of Pakistan’s defeat was the number of unwanted records they set during the match. Their first-innings total of 556 was the highest ever for a team that went on to lose by an innings.
This was a particularly painful record, as it underscored their inability to leverage a dominant position into a favorable result.
In addition, Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket history to lose five matches after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings. This record highlighted a recurring issue for Pakistan—failing to capitalize on strong starts in Test matches.
Despite putting up competitive totals, their inability to maintain control in the latter stages of the game has been a persistent problem.
Another record set in this match was Pakistan’s fifth-worst home defeat in Test cricket. Losing by an innings and 47 runs on home soil, especially after posting such a strong first-innings score, was a bitter pill to swallow for the home side.
It was also Pakistan’s worst home defeat in over two decades, adding further disappointment to their performance.
Bowlers’ Struggles: Failing to Contain England
One of the key reasons behind Pakistan’s defeat was the failure of their bowling unit to contain England’s batting lineup. While Pakistan’s batsmen did their part in the first innings, the bowlers struggled to make any impact.
On a pitch that seemed to offer little assistance to the bowlers, Pakistan’s attack looked toothless against England’s aggressive batting.
Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and the spin duo of Nauman Ali and Abrar Ahmed were unable to find consistent breakthroughs. The lack of a disciplined bowling approach, combined with England’s aggressive intent, resulted in the visitors piling on a record total. Pakistan’s bowlers appeared to lack the cutting edge needed to exploit any weaknesses in the English batting lineup.
This inability to take wickets at crucial intervals left Pakistan chasing the game from the moment England took the lead.
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