Pakistan are going through its worst phase in international cricket. The team conceded 823 runs against England in the first Test and lost the game by an innings and 47 runs.

Pakistan have dropped Babar Azam, Naseem Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi from the team for the remaining two Tests against England.

The trio received support from their teammate Hasan Ali, who took to social media to react to the situation.

“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,” he wrote on X.

Pakistan have lost six consecutive Tests under the captaincy of Shan Masood. Earlier, Pakistan were eliminated from the group stage in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States of America and the West Indies under Babar’s leadership.

The removal of star players is a chance for other cricketers to show what they are capable of against the English team.

Hasal Ali was a part of the team that toured Australia earlier this year, but a 3-0 defeat meant that he was not considered for the red-ball games again.

Masood is also under pressure as a captain as Pakistan were beaten 0-2 by the visiting Bangladesh side. Although he scored a hundred in the first innings against England in Multan, his overall performance has been ordinary.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman had lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board after he heard the news of Babar Azam’s likely removal from the red-ball team.

“It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them,” he wrote on X.

His speculation proved correct as Babar was not retained in the squad for the remaining two Tests against England.