‘There’s stuff we can’t control’ – Shan Masood on Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi getting dropped for second Test versus England

Shan Masood. (Source – PCB)

Shan Masood broke his silence on the wholesale changes in Pakistan’s squad for the second Test match against England, which started in Multan on Tuesday, October 15. The hosts left out experienced campaigners like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed from the squad after suffering a humiliating defeat by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test.

Spinners Noman Ali and Sajib Khan returned to the side, while debutant Kamran Ghulam replaced Babar. Reacting to the changes, Masood said that his team cannot control them. However, he spoke about the positivity in the camp ahead of the second Test as Pakistan looks to restore parity in the three-match series.

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“I think firstly playing a Test match for Pakistan is a huge opportunity for anyone who wants to be a cricketer so we’re all excited and there’s some rejuvenated energy in the camp,” Shan Masood said at the toss.

“There’s stuff we can’t control but we can control what we do on the field. We’re very positive about this. We’re happy the spinners have some conditions where we can show we have some decent spinners,” he further added.

Saim Ayub, Kamran Ghulam resurrect Pakistan’s innings after Jack Leach’s double strike

Masood won the toss and opted to bat first on the same strip that hosted the first Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique batted watchfully to survive the new-ball burst from Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse. However, Jack Leach dismissed the two batters in his first two overs as Pakistan slumped to 19/2 in the 10th over.

Also Read: PCB defends call to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah from second, third Tests vs England

Since then, Ghulam joined forces with Ayub and the duo has taken the home side past the 100-run mark. Both batters have notched up half-centuries and will look to convert them into three-figure scores to help Pakistan post a big first innings total.