Babar and Shaheen dropped or rested?

Pakistan cricket recently witnessed the unimaginable in Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah being dropped from the second test due to their lacklustre performances for over two years.

Whilst the Pakistan Cricket Board has termed the dropping as (rested), there are no reasons for resting this under performing trio. There are no official reports from the teams psychologist or the medical team indicating any mental or physical burn out which would warrant a rest.

A top level athlete consists of having a relentless work ethic to perfect their craft and out work the opponent as well as spend countless hours on Technical, Tactical, Physical as well as Mental aspects of their game.

The Athlete must be equipped in how to deal with failure as well as remain self accountable whilst embracing failure to better their game.

Babar azam has not scored a Test half century in two years not due to back luck however it is his failed batting faults exposed by the Australian captain Pat Cummins. Babar Azams batting stance seems to be the issue with minimal trigger movement of back and across. This leads to poorly timed shots as well as vulnerability outside the off stump with his dismissals mainly being caught behind the stumps or bowled.

Error correction: To correct his wider then normal batting stance as well as move his feet freely by utilising his trigger movement which will give him more time to play the ball as in his early days.

Shaheen Shah Afridi after making his mark in international cricket with his dangerous in swinging first over yorkers to now becoming an easy 130 km or below medium pacer with very little swing.

Afridi arrived on to the scene with an immaculate run up to the crease with both arms pumping towards the batsman, his power through the crease and a full throttle follow through ensured a 145km swinging ball nightmare for the batsmen.

Afridi now has an action which has no real drive in his run up, the alignment into the delivery stride shifts off target and hence all the power as well as swing has been effected in a big enough way to have him being dropped from the second test Match.

Naseem shah is a young talent who has bowled with the management failing to nurture him through workload management. His action of ultra side on and all out approach he needs to be handled with care and improve fat levels on his body.

Having discussed the REAL reasons for the omission of this trio the pcb needs to facilitate a come back action plan should they need these players at their best, or risk of losing these players until they correct their vulnerable techniques.