Babar Azam’s Selection and Shaheen Afridi’s Omission Spark Controversy Ahead of South Africa Tour

The selection of Pakistan’s cricket team for the South Africa tour has drawn criticism from former cricketer Basit Ali, who questions Babar Azam’s inclusion and Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion. Ali linked Shaheen’s removal to a controversial incident during a huddle, while expressing skepticism about Babar’s current form and legitimacy of his return following a disappointing performance in recent matches.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dissent regarding Babar Azam’s inclusion in the national team for the upcoming tour of South Africa while questioning the removal of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad. As Pakistan prepares for this multi-format series beginning on December 10 in Durban, it is noteworthy that Babar returns to the Test team following his previous omission for the latter Tests against England. Meanwhile, Shaheen continues to be sidelined in red-ball cricket.

Basit Ali criticized the selection committee’s decision, indicating that Shaheen’s exclusion stems from an incident during the first Test against Bangladesh, where a viral video captured him dismissively removing the captain’s hand from his shoulder during a huddle. “Shaheen Afridi was asked to bowl on dead pitches, and he could not perform; so what about Naseem Shah’s performance?” Ali remarked. He raised further concerns about Babar’s return, questioning the basis of his selection after not performing in domestic cricket since his removal. “How many domestic matches Babar has played since being removed from the Test team? Did his form improve after being dropped from that series?” he added.

Since Babar’s removal, his performance in Australia yielded minimal results, accumulating only 80 runs in three ODIs and 47 runs in three T20Is, averaging a disappointing 15.67.

The squads for the South Africa tour have been disclosed, with Babar Azam being part of both the T20I and ODI teams, while Shan Masood leads the Test squad. The structure is expected to bolster the team’s competitive edge despite the controversies surrounding player selections.

The announcement of Pakistan’s squads for the South Africa tour has sparked debate among cricket analysts and former players, particularly regarding significant selections and omissions. Babar Azam’s inclusion is noteworthy given his prior removal, which raises questions about his current form and preparedness for the Test format. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence from the Test side invites scrutiny, particularly due to a controversial incident that may have influenced his standing with the team. Such dynamics reflect the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in maintaining consistency and performance balance within its cricketing framework.

In conclusion, Basit Ali’s criticism of the squad selections for the South Africa tour underscores deeper issues within the Pakistani cricket team’s decision-making process. The inclusion of Babar Azam juxtaposed against the exclusion of Shaheen Afridi raises questions about criteria for player selection based on form and interpersonal dynamics. As the team gears up for the series, these controversies may sidetrack focus from their on-field performance.

Original Source: sports.ndtv.com