Former cricketer Basit Ali has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rest star batter Babar Azam for the second Test against the West Indies in Multan.
Pakistan won the opening Test of the series by 127 runs in Multan, but Babar's performance was below expectations, scoring just 8 and 5 on a challenging pitch.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali believes this is the ideal time to give Babar a break.
“Pakistan is damaging Babar’s confidence when he has just regained his rhythm. Since Pakistan won’t qualify for the WTC final, it would be wise to rest Babar. If you want to keep him in the Playing XI, prepare better pitches,” said Ali.
He also suggested that Mohammad Rizwan should be rested ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
"If the pitch is similar to the first Test, it could further harm their confidence. Babar struggled in the first Test, but he found his form in South Africa, scoring runs in both ODIs and Tests," he said.
The 30-year-old was previously dropped from the Test team for the second and third Tests against England at home last year.
After being sidelined from the white-ball series against Zimbabwe, he made his comeback during Pakistan’s recent tour of South Africa.
The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to take place at the same venue, Multan, from January 25-29.
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