PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam likely to rest in second Test against England

The inclusion of two spinners in Pakistan's lineup for the second Test awaits final approval

After a series of underwhelming performances, Pakistan's middle-order batter Babar Azam is set to be rested for the upcoming second Test against England.

The decision follows Pakistan’s crushing defeat in the first Test at Multan Cricket Stadium, where England secured victory by an innings and 47 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series, Express News reported.

Babar Azam managed just 30 and 5 runs in his two innings, continuing his struggle for form.

Babar last scored a half-century in December 2022, when he made 161 runs against New Zealand. Since then, he has played 20 innings with an average of 20.33, accumulating just 366 runs.

Former England captain and commentator Nasser Hussain recently raised questions about Babar’s poor form, stating that his prolonged slump is putting pressure on the team. Hussain noted that the once-great batter is going through the worst form of his career.

Both teams are scheduled to practice at the Multan Cricket Stadium today, ahead of the second Test, which begins on 15 October. While Pakistan has yet to announce their playing XI, major changes are anticipated, and senior players, including Babar Azam, may be rested.

It is also expected that Pakistan will field two spinners in the upcoming match, with final team selections awaiting the approval of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Last month, Babar Azam officially stepped down as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, announcing his decision via a post on X.

Babar explained that he wanted to focus more on his own playing role and personal growth, which led to his resignation from the leadership position.

Despite stepping down from the role of skipper in November 2023, Babar had been reappointed by the PCB as the captain for both T20Is and ODIs on March 31.