'You've Done Wonders': Hasan Ali Backs 'Brothers' Babar Azam & Shaheen Afridi To Make Strong Comeback

Out of favour Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali has backed Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah to make a strong comeback after the trio was dropped from the Pakistani team on Sunday (October 13) for the last two Tests of the ongoing three-match series against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce Pakistan’s squad for the last two matches of the home series and said that after taking consideration of the current form and fitness of the players, Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem are rested for the remaining matches.

“Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection,” PCB stated in a release.

After Babar was axed from the side, Hasan took to X to post a message for his ‘brothers’. In a tweet that is now going viral on the internet, he said that tough times only make comebacks sweeter. According to him, the trio of Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem has done wonders for Pakistani cricket, and he wants them to keep believing in themselves to make a strong comeback.

“Tough times only make comebacks sweeter! My brothers, you’re champions! You’ve done wonders for Pakistan and will continue do so. Keep believing and you’ll be back stronger than ever, Inshallah!” Hasan wrote in a viral tweet.

Babar’s place in the Test team was questioned by many former greats and experts of the game in Pakistan, but the decision to drop him from the squad came as a surprise for many fans.

Babar is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. Despite his struggle to score big runs in recent past, the 29-year-old right-handed batter is still a force to reckon with, and in his absence, Pakistan will miss a key player in middle order against a strong side like England that has already won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs margin.