Saeed Ajmal slams PCB for dropping Babar Azam from Pakistan’s T20I squad against New Zealand

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Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has voiced strong criticism against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for omitting star batter Babar Azam from the squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The five-match series, scheduled to begin on March 16, will see Pakistan take on the Black Caps without their most experienced player.

Babar’s recent performances, particularly in the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, have been under scrutiny. Despite scoring 87 runs in two innings at an average of 43.50, his form has been questioned, prompting the selectors to make the bold decision to exclude him from the squad. This move has ignited widespread debate among cricket analysts and former players.

Saeed Ajmal Warns PCB: “Respect Your Top Player”

Ajmal did not mince words in his criticism, labeling the PCB’s decision as unfair and disrespectful to one of Pakistan’s finest cricketers. He warned the board against undervaluing Babar’s contributions and urged former players to refrain from making unnecessary negative comments.

“You have only one star player. If you bring him down, how will Pakistan cricket progress? These are the real issues we should be discussing. Our former cricketers should stop making unnecessary comments and support the team instead,” Ajmal said in an interview with CricketPakistan.

He questioned the logic behind dropping Babar, arguing that a few underwhelming performances should not overshadow a player’s overall value. Ajmal emphasized that instead of axing a world-class batter, the PCB should back him and provide confidence during challenging times.

Comparison to Sachin Tendulkar

Ajmal defended Babar by pointing out that even the greatest players face rough patches in their careers. He drew a parallel to Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, stating that even the best cannot maintain peak form consistently.

“Every cricketer faces ups and downs in their career. You cannot expect someone to perform the same way throughout their playing days. Even Tendulkar could not score a century in every game, yet India always backed him because they knew his true potential,” Ajmal remarked.

He further stressed that Pakistan’s batting lineup lacks stability, and dropping an experienced player like Babar could have detrimental effects on the team’s performance.