Babar Azam, once regarded as Pakistan's top batter, is set to be dropped from the upcoming second Test match against England after a back to back disappointing performances. Following Pakistan's humiliating defeat to England in the first Test at Multan, the selection committee, which includes Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali, made the tough decision to leave out the former captain.

Babar’s barren run with the bat has been a growing concern for the team. In the first Test at Multan, Babar managed only 35 runs across two innings, with scores of 30 and 5, respectively. His poor form has now extended to 18 consecutive Test innings without a half-century, a streak that began after his impressive 161-run knock against New Zealand in December 2022.

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to back the selection committee's decision. High-ranking PCB officials and recently appointed mentors engaged in multiple discussions following Pakistan’s first Test loss to England, leading to the decision to drop Babar.

Furthermore Nasser Hussain, former England captain, had earlier spoken on Babar’s poor form, saying, "Babar Azam is Pakistan’s best batter but he is out of form. He hasn’t scored a half-century in nine Tests... The pressure ison him."