Babar Azam skips Test match as to protest against intrusive security measures – Reports

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was off the field in the first hour of the second day of the third Test against England, to protest against intrusive security measures for the players and their families. When Babar was not given permission from the team hotel to leave for dinner on Saturday night with a few other team members and their families, he became furious. Babar had planned to go out to dinner with Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, and Imam-ul-Haq with their families at a local restaurant.

However, when he left his hotel room, security personnel stopped him from leaving, making it clear that he and the other players needed to get permission before making any moves because the two teams would be receiving President level security for the series against England. 

After a violent disagreement with a senior official, the captain was unhappy with the security measures and described them as intrusive. He then stormed back to his room. The reports say that on Sunday, Babar didn’t come out to lead the team for one hour and remained in the dressing room to protest the behavior of the security personnel.

Rehan Ahmed shines on debut as England moves an inch closer to a clean sweep

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on the other hand, has remained silent over the incident, however, the official excuse given is that Babar arrived at the stadium with a severe headache, which barred him from being on the field for the first hour.

Pakistan and England, both teams are being given the President level security for the series as the PCB is not willing to take any chances, given that England is touring Pakistan for a Test series after 17 years.

However, insiders claim that the players are now tired of the constant security that surrounds them and prevents them from leaving the team hotel without authorization. “It is for their own good and Pakistan cricket,” one PCB source.

According to sources close to the players, it seems sensible to have strong security measures for the visiting team, but it seems unfair to the Pakistani players.

At the end of Day Three, England is 112/2, as they need only 55 runs to clean sweep the three-match test series. England’s Rehan Ahmed took five wickets and became the youngest player to take a 5-wicket haul in a Test debut.