Nasser Hussain, the former captain of England has castigated the decision of Pakistan Cricket Board to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the second Test, criticizing “mismanagement” that is affecting the country’s national men’s team. “I just wish for this little bit of planning and forward-thinking in Pakistan cricket,” said Hussain. He felt that the problem does not lie within the A-list players like Babar, Naseem, or Shaheen, but somewhere down the line with PCB. His comments come in the wake of Pakistan’s debacle in the series against England, which the side lost by innings and 47 runs in the first Test.

Nasser Hussain Blames PCB Management

The PCB’s decision to leave Babar out for the rest of the series has caused much uproar and commotion, not only from the fans but also from the analysts. Hussain noted the haphazard arrangement of management regarding Pakistan cricket, and changes in leadership had not been helpful. He was disappointed for Babar and hoped that his game is not getting punished.

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“A little bit of forward planning and forward thinking. I think that’s what’s lacking in Pakistan Cricket. Even like with the venues. Coming here we didn’t know where England were gonna play. Still, here we sit here. Now we don’t really know where. The third Test, we don’t know which pitch they’re gonna play on tomorrow for the second Test. And that comes from behind the scenes and the changes that happen. I think you said in the paper today. It was 26 different selectors. I read 27. The other different paper. 27. You can’t keep counting him out. So how many? How many have England had? Two or three basically 27-26 different selectors. Chairman of selectors. You know everything coaches, captain,” Nasser Hussain said while speaking to Michael Atherton on Sky Sports.

Nasser Hussain Defends Babar Azam

Defending Babar, who had been a mainstay of the Pakistan batting order, Hussain refused to tag Babar, Naseem, or Shaheen with blame for Pakistan’s failure, and pointed out structural issues of the PCB while remaining in line with the general opinions of former players and cricket analysts about recent management decisions of the PCB. The board has acted to recall most of the seasoned players and replace them with uncapped, inexperienced players following the heavy loss in the first Test-the process many describe as rather hasty and reactionary.

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There is more to this five-new-player-inclusion for the Tests against Pakistan than meets the eye. The addition, which is mostly inexperienced, has the second and third Test squad abuzz with questions. Out of five players inducted, only Sajid Khan and Mohammad Ali have played Tests this year. All the others are coming in to play their first Tests: Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, and Haseebullah.