Indian media has come under fire for spreading false and speculative reports regarding the future of key Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to widely circulated claims in Indian publications, the Pakistan selection committee is planning to drop the senior trio not only from the recent Bangladesh tour but also from the upcoming West Indies series.
These reports, quoting sources from “Telecom AsiaNet,” claim that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and selectors, in consultation with Head Coach Mike Hesson and newly-appointed white-ball captain Salman Agha, have decided to move forward without the former captain and other senior players due to their form and low strike rates. The report adds that while the door is not completely closed for a return, the players’ recent performances have made their place in the team uncertain.
The Indian media further alleges that internal PCB discussions indicate a shift in focus toward younger talent following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy and the experimental squad for the Bangladesh series.
However, Pakistani cricket insiders have dismissed these reports as baseless and part of an ongoing narrative by Indian outlets to destabilize the Pakistani dressing room. Observers believe the timing and nature of these stories aim to sow discord among players and generate controversy, especially as younger talent starts to emerge on the international stage.
Earlier, head coach Mike Hesson had met with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi during a pre-series training camp, which contradicts the notion of a permanent exclusion. Insiders suggest the players were only rested for the Bangladesh series as part of a rotation strategy, with future selections based on performance and fitness.
In the meantime, discussions are underway to possibly convert the scheduled three-match ODI series against the West Indies into a T20 format, keeping in mind preparations for future ICC events.
Social media users and cricket analysts have urged fans to rely on official PCB announcements rather than speculative international reporting. The recurring attempts to create tension within the Pakistani squad are being seen as deliberate efforts to distract and destabilize the team ahead of crucial international fixtures.
