PCB defends call to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah from second, third Tests vs England

A couple of days ahead of the second Test between Pakistan and England, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 16-member squad for the remainder of the series. Notably, ace batter Babar Azam, left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, and right-arm quick Naseem Shah were not included in the team sheet. Other than the aforementioned players, former skipper and backup wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, and Sarfaraz Ahmed did not cut as well. 

The PCB opted to sideline the players keeping in mind the greater good for the team as well in a bid to give them a break from all the chaos surrounding them for their on-field performances. The PCB also had a say on the total of seven inclusions they made to the squad which was drafted ahead of the first Test in Multan.

"The PCB believes that each of Haseebullah, Mehran, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, Noman, Sajid, and Zahid have the ability to rise to the occasion and serve the team in the remaining two Tests," stated a PCB spokesperson as per Geo News.

The representative also highlighted the primary motive of boosting an influx of youngsters into the squad, which was one of the primary motives of the PCB going forward.

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PCB set to head towards fresh pathway after revamping selection committee

Some modifications were expected to take place within the internal mechanism of the PCB following an annihilating defeat to England in the first Test of the series. As it turned out, there were immediate changes made to the men's selection committee hours after the loss.

The selection committee nominated domestic cricketer-turned-umpire Aleem Dar, and former Pakistan cricketers Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, as the voting members. Additionally, analyst Hassan Cheema, who was already a member of the selection committee, was provided voting rights while the coaches will no longer be having a say in the selection of the squads.

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With the inclusion of members who have been a crucial component of Pakistan cricket across various aspects, it is anticipated that they would have set some fresh objectives for the short and long term, one of which is fuelling youngsters into the squad for them to gain valuable exposure.