"India didn't bench Virat Kohli": Zaman on Babar Azam's exclusion

Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman expressed his views on dropping Babar Azam from Pakistans squad for the England Test following his poor performances Further Zaman also highlighted how India backed Virat Kohli during his threeyear lean patch in Test cricketIn a post on X Fakhar drew parallels between Virats lean patch in Tests from 20202023 and Babars current run of form and said that if the team management considers sidelining our premier batsman the best Pakistan has ever produced it could send a deeply negative message to the teamHe also urged the team to avoid pressing the panic button and safeguard the key players instead of undermining themIts concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam India didnt bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023 when he averaged 1933 2821 and 2650 respectively If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced it could send a deeply negative message across the team There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them Fakhar said in the postAlso ReadMahela Jayawardene returns to Mumbai Indians as head coachFakhar Zamans comment came after Babar Azam was dropped from Pakistans squad for the second and third Test match against England In the first Test match Babae departed on the scores of 30 runs and five runsHis last 50 score in the format came back in December 2022 and in his last 17 Test innings he averaged just 2070 and made just 352 runs with the best score of 41 In his last eight innings on home soil where runs have flowed for others Babar averages just 1875Itrsquos concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam India didnrsquot bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023 when he averaged 1933 2821 and 2650 respectively If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman arguably the best Pakistanhellipmdash Fakhar Zaman FakharZamanLive October 13 2024Virat Kohli experienced a rough patch in Test cricket from 2020 to 2023 From January 2020 to his 28th Test century against Australia at Ahmedabad during the BorderGavaskar Trophy his first in three years he could score just 1028 runs at an average of 2570 in 23 Tests making just six halfcenturies in 41 innings with a best score of 29 runsThis was in sharp contrast to his brilliant run from 201619 in which he scored 4208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 6679 with 16 centuries and 10 fifties in 69 innings and best score of 254However since his 186 against Australia in Ahmedabad in March last year his first in Tests since three years Virat has improved massively on his Test form In eight Tests he has scored 717 runs in 13 innings at an average of 5975 with two centuries and two fifties in 13 innings and best score of 186Pacebowling duo Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also out of the squad as is keeperbatter Sarfaraz Ahmed Legspinner Abrar Ahmed who dealt with illness and was subsequently taken to hospital during the first Test will also sit out as per ICCHaseebullah Mehran Mumtaz Kamran Ghulam fast bowler Mohammad Ali and offspinner Sajid Khan come into the squadSelecting squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors said Aqib Javed a member of the selection committee as quoted by ICCWe have had to carefully consider current player form the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistans demanding 202425 international schedule With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players we have made the decision to rest Babar Azam Naseem Shah Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah AfridiWe are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness confidence and composure ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even strongerThe result moved England to fourth on the World Test Championship table to keep hopes of a Final spot alive and consigned Pakistan to last place in the standings with a possible points percentage of just 1667 per centPakistan squad for second and third Tests Shan Masood captain Saud Shakeel vicecaptain Aamer Jamal Abdullah Shafique Haseebullah wicketkeeper Kamran Ghulam Mehran Mumtaz Mir Hamza Mohammad Ali Mohammad Huraira Mohammad Rizwan wicketkeeper Noman Ali Saim Ayub Sajid Khan Salman Ali Agha and Zahid MehmoodWith ANI Inputs