Nasser Hussain lashes out at PCB for dropping Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi; Wasim Akram reacts

Former England captain Nasser Hussain criticized the management of the Pakistan national cricket team for excluding star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram posted a cryptic message on social media in response to Nasser Hussain's comments.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made massive changes to the squad for the second and third Test matches against England following an innings defeat in the first Test match in Multan. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Abrar Ahmed have been excluded from the team.

The issue is not Babar Azam - Nasser Hussain

Speaking on Sky Sports before Pakistan's second Test against England, Nasser Hussain criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for the lack of long-term planning and frequent leadership changes. He stated that the issue was not Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah.

"The issue is not Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah. The issue is behind the scenes in the way Pakistan cricket runs," Hussain said.

"In the paper, I saw there were 26 different selectors; in another, it said 27. Nobody can keep count. How many have England had? Two or three, maybe. But if you keep changing selectors, coaches, captains- constantly shuffling leadership's impossible to plan ahead."

"No successful business or sports team works that way. When you operate with short-term thinking, you show up unprepared, and by the time you lose the first Test, you're already scrambling for solutions," he added.

Nasser Hussain said that Pakistan's struggles are due to internal issues despite facing financial constraints. The former England cricketer expressed sympathy for Pakistan cricket but pointed out that sometimes they hinder their own progress.

"Their cricket and some of it, you give them a bit of leeway because of the way the finances of the world game have gone with the big three, and they're picking up the scraps like other nations are. So I really feel for Pakistan cricket and we mustn't be too harsh on them, but at times, they shoot themselves in the foot," Hussain stated.

Finally, Boys Are On To Something Here - Wasim Akram

In response to Nasser Hussain's comments about struggles in Pakistan cricket, Wasim Akram posted a cryptic message on social media. The post suggests that Akram agrees with Hussain's views on Pakistan cricket. He stated, "I think finally boys are on to something here."

I think finally boys are on too something here 🤪 https://t.co/AbKlRYXnL4

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 14, 2024

Second Test Set To Commence On October 15 In Multan

Pakistan posted a massive total of 556 runs in their first innings during the series opener in Multan. In reply, England declared their second innings at 823/7, the fourth-highest total in Test history. The visiting team, led by Ollie Pope, won the match by an innings and 47 runs to start the series with a win.

The home team already revealed their playing XI, which includes three specialist spinners and only one fast bowler. England captain Ben Stokes returned to the lineup after missing the first Test match. The second Test of the series is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 15, in Multan.

Also read: Shan Masood's Pakistan Become First Team to Achieve this embarrassing milestone in Test History