Is It Time for a New Era? Pakistan's Test Squad Shake-Up Without Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem

Pakistan's cricketing landscape is undergoing significant changes, as the squad for the second Test against England in Multan has seen some notable omissions. The most shocking development has been the dropping of Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain and one of the most recognizable faces in world cricket. This move comes on the back of a humbling innings loss in the first Test, which has raised questions about Pakistan's current direction and whether the team is entering a new era.

Babar Azam’s omission from the squad marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s Test team, both in terms of leadership and batting stability. Although the decision has left many fans and analysts surprised, it is believed to be a collective recommendation from the newly restructured selection committee, which met shortly after Pakistan's crushing defeat to England.

The meeting, held in Lahore and followed by a second session in Multan, involved key figures such as the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and five mentors appointed by the board. The selectors, however, were unanimous in their stance that Babar, who has struggled for form in the longest format, would benefit from time away from the national setup.

While Babar has been Pakistan’s most reliable batter, his form has been a concern for quite some time. Since December 2022, he has not scored a Test half-century and has averaged under 21 in his last nine Tests. In the first Test against England, Babar scored only 35 runs across two innings, extending his streak of matches without a half-century to 18, a worrying sign for a player of his caliber.

Despite this, captain Shan Masood, in his public comments, continued to back Babar, calling him “Pakistan’s best batter” and advocating for the importance of continuity in selection. Masood’s sentiments align with Test coach Jason Gillespie’s belief in giving players more time. However, behind closed doors, the selectors are said to have made a different assessment, emphasizing that Babar’s absence could give him the mental space to rediscover his form, especially with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy coming up on October 20.

Babar’s absence is not only a blow to Pakistan's batting lineup but also a significant shake-up in the team’s structure. The 29-year-old has been the face of Pakistan cricket, admired not only for his elegant batting but also for the aura he brings to the team. His individual fanbase is immense, making his omission a polarizing decision. Even when his captaincy came under scrutiny, his place in the team as a player was never in doubt until now.

Babar's leadership journey has been tumultuous. He stepped down from the captaincy after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, only to be reappointed in both T20I and ODI formats a few months later. His second stint, however, was short-lived as Pakistan was eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup in the first round. After this setback, Babar again resigned from his captaincy, citing a need to focus on his batting. This rollercoaster of leadership changes has, no doubt, affected his form and the team’s stability.