'Bachelor Naseem Shah dropped to enjoy fatherhood': Fans react as Pakistan drop pacer for second Test vs Bangladesh

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Pakistan dropped their star pacer Naseem Shah from their playing eleven of the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Saturday, August 31. Considering that Pakistan had already dropped Shaheen Afridi from the match, the decision came as a massive surprise for many.

Pakistan lost the first Test against Bangladesh by 10 wickets, and stand on the cusp of losing their first-ever Test series against the visitors. The win in the first Test was also Bangladesh' against Pakistan in the format.

Head coach Jason Gillespie revealed that Shaheen Afridi was made aware of the decision and the reason behind it, before adding that the time away from game would also help Shaheen, who recently became a father, spend time with his family.

"Shaheen missed out this game. I've had a good conversation with him. He certainly understands the thinking behind it. We are just looking at what our best combination is for the game, and this is the way we want to go," Gillespie said ahead of the second Test.

However, Naseem Shah's omission from the series-decider has left many puzzled. After being asked to bat first, Pakistan captain Shan Masood stated that the young pacer was dropped, and Mir Hamza has been brought in his place.

Pakistan played the first Test without a specialist spinner, and the move backfired as Bangladesh won the match by 10 wickets. Bangladesh spinners made full use of the conditions and Pakistan were bundled out for 146 in the second innings. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was brought in place of Shaheen. Masood reckoned that Abrar has done well on green tracks in the past.

Fans in shock after Pakistan drop Naseem Shah from 2nd Test vs Bangladesh

Reports of rifts in the Pakistan team had surfaced after their defeat in the first. They claimed that all was not well between Shaheen and Masood. The omission of Naseem Shah from the playing eleven was also linked to the reported rift in Pakistan cricket team. Here's how fans reacted after Naseem Shah was dropped.

After being asked to bat first, Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck, but a solid stand between Saim Ayub and Masood saw Pakistan go to lunch at 99/1. Ayub was batting on unbeaten 43, and captain Shan Masood on unbeaten 53 runs off 62 balls.