# Saeed Ajmal Blasts PCB Over Babar Azam's Exclusion from New Zealand T20I Series
'If you degrade Babar Azam, then...': Former Pakistan's World no.1 player lashes out at PCB for star batter's snub in New Zealand T20I series
Former World no.1 spinner Saeed Ajmal has blasted PCB for dropping Pakistan's star Babar Azam for the T20I series against New Zealand
Saeed Ajmal Questions PCB’s Decision as Pakistan Faces Tough Times
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Lahore, Pakistan – Former World No.1 spinner Saeed Ajmal has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for dropping Babar Azam from the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. Ajmal believes that excluding Pakistan’s biggest cricketing star is a damaging move that undermines the morale of the team.
‘If You Degrade Babar, How Will Cricket Survive?’ – Ajmal
Ajmal expressed his frustration over Babar’s exclusion, stating that dropping a player of his caliber sends the wrong message to the team.
“Aapke paas ek hi toh star hai (You have only one star). If you degrade him also, then how will your cricket run?” Ajmal remarked.
He also criticized the knee-jerk reactions of selectors, emphasizing that every player goes through ups and downs in form.
Pakistan’s Decision to Drop Babar and Rizwan Sparks Debate
Not just Babar Azam, but Mohammad Rizwan has also been left out of the squad due to their underwhelming performances in the recent ICC Champions Trophy. While both players have solid T20I records, their strike rates have been a persistent talking point in Pakistan’s cricketing circles.
Ajmal, however, defended the duo, arguing that even cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have had phases of poor form.
“Bad patches are part of a player’s career. Even if you were Sachin Tendulkar, you couldn’t score 100 runs in every match.”
Ajmal urged the selectors to have a direct conversation with Babar rather than making sudden calls that could affect the team’s chemistry.
Pakistan’s T20 Struggles – A Bigger Issue?
Pakistan has faced inconsistent T20I performances, with three series losses in their last four outings. Their shocking early exit from the T20 World Cup, where they lost to the USA and India, has only fueled concerns about the team’s direction.
Ajmal pointed out that Babar Azam wasn’t the only player struggling, questioning why only a few players were being scapegoated.
“Look, the way you’ve removed them is wrong. It’s not like they are the only ones who haven’t scored while others have.”
He believes that players should be given confidence and support, rather than being pushed out during a difficult phase.
Babar vs. Virat – A Lesson for Pakistan?
Ajmal also compared Babar Azam’s playing style with Virat Kohli, arguing that aggression isn't always necessary in T20 cricket.
“Babar and Rizwan are great players. Their stats are as good as anyone’s, but they don’t bat aggressively. Even legends like Virat pace their innings slowly before attacking.”
He believes Pakistan’s obsession with aggression is misplaced, and proven match-winners like Babar should be backed rather than discarded.
Pakistan’s Squad for the New Zealand Series
Pakistan T20I Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan.
Full Schedule for Pakistan vs New Zealand Series
T20I Matches:
1st T20I – March 16, Christchurch
2nd T20I – March 18, Dunedin
3rd T20I – March 21, Auckland
4th T20I – March 23, Mount Maunganui
5th T20I – March 26, Wellington
ODI Matches:
1st ODI – March 29, Napier
2nd ODI – April 2, Hamilton
3rd ODI – April 5, Mount Maunganui
What’s Next?
With Pakistan experimenting with a new-look squad, all eyes will be on how the team fares against a dominant New Zealand side. Will their gamble pay off, or will they regret leaving out two of their biggest stars? Only time will tell!
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