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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has clearly denied his role in the decision to drop many players from the team during the England tour. Babar spoke openly on this matter for the first time before the Edgbaston Test. He said that this decision of Pakistan Cricket Board i.e. PCB was like news for him too and he came to know about it after the decision was taken. The players dropped from the team included big names like experienced Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Aga.

Apart from Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Aga, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar were also recalled from the England tour. These changes were made after Pakistan lost the Lord’s Test. With this defeat, England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their posts. After this, seven new players from Pakistan were included in the team, out of which there were five players who were yet to debut at the international level. Head selector Misbah-ul-Haq also resigned.

Babar distanced himself from the decision
When Babar was asked about the players being suddenly sent back, he said, “This was new news to me too. I also came to know about it later. It was the PCB’s decision, so they will tell you better about it.” When asked if the entire incident created any difficulties for him, he said, “Not difficult,” although he admitted that the incident was shocking for him.

Also spoke on the investigation of Imam and Rizwan
Babar was also questioned on PCB’s disciplinary investigation regarding Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan. According to reports, Imam was suspected of giving wrong information regarding his leg injury during the second test. It was also claimed that PCB officials had taken the phones of both the players and investigated their contacts and activities in London. However, Babar distanced himself from the matter and said, “I don’t know” what the investigation is about. When he was directly asked whether he had a role in sending back the players or any other decision, Babar clearly replied, “No.”