NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticised the team’s approach in the recently concluded tri-nation series, particularly questioning the decision to have Babar Azam open the innings. His comments came after Pakistan’s five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the final at Karachi’s National Stadium on Friday.
“If you had won the tri-nation series, then your confidence level would have been high, every boy’s confidence level would have been high,” Basit said on his YouTube channel. “Who is the one who told Babar Azam to open? I am surprised who he is. What crazy people they are [Kaise pagal log hai]. He was performing well at number three, scoring 50-70 against South Africa, but they stopped that too. Now, just 62 runs in three matches in the tri-series. This is the approach, this is the thinking,” he lamented.
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Pakistan will face New Zealand again in their Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday. Basit emphasised that the team should have focused on their first match rather than looking ahead to their clash against India. “We keep talking about India’s match, but we had to think about New Zealand first. Will this team play against them? Will the pitch be like this? Will Salman Agha bowl 10 overs? Will you make Khushdil Shah play?” he questioned.
He also suggested that captain Mohammad Rizwan was not fully confident in the squad, particularly regarding Faheem Ashraf. “Rizwan clearly showed he is not happy with Faheem Ashraf coming into the team. He did not give him the ball after just two overs, only using him again when the match was already lost,” Basit remarked.
Reiterating his point about Babar’s batting position, Basit drew a comparison with Sachin Tendulkar but insisted Pakistan had mishandled their star batter. “They say even Sachin opened the innings and scored a century in his first match in Sri Lanka. But you removed Babar from No.3, where he was excelling, and now you’ve destroyed his rhythm,” he added.
Basit concluded by stressing the importance of confidence heading into a major tournament. “Winning this tri-nation series could have boosted morale. Now, what will be your confidence? Cricket is a total game of confidence, and if that is shaken, you are left behind,” he warned.
Pakistan will look to regroup as they prepare for their Champions Trophy campaign, starting with a rematch against New Zealand at the same venue on February 19.
