Pakistan Cricket Faces Harsh Criticism from Basit Ali After Embarrassing ODI Defeat to New Zealand
The struggles of Pakistan cricket continued as former cricketer Basit Ali launched a scathing attack on the national team’s selectors and decision-makers following yet another disappointing performance. In the aftermath of Pakistan’s 73-run defeat to New Zealand in the second ODI at McLean Park in Napier, Basit didn’t mince his words while dissecting what he called “a complete collapse of logic and accountability” in the way Pakistan cricket is being managed.
Basit Ali Lashes Out Over Babar Azam’s Batting Position
At the heart of Basit Ali’s furious rant was the decision to make Babar Azam open the innings during the Champions Trophy, a move that Basit described as “utterly thoughtless.” According to the former Pakistan cricketer, Babar’s natural place is at number three, and tinkering with such a key player’s batting position for no clear reason has had serious consequences for the team’s balance and stability.
“Why did Babar play at number three now, when he was sent to open in the Champions Trophy?”
questioned Basit on his YouTube channel.
“Where are those so-called cricket experts now, the ones who said he should open? They should apologise to the country. Pakistan cricket does not need such professors, it needs honest decision-makers who know the game.”
He continued,
“Those who try to act like cricket professors, inhe joote maarne chahiye (they should be hit with shoes). They are destroying the integrity of Pakistan cricket with their baseless strategies.”
The Blame Game in Pakistan Cricket
Basit Ali did not take any names directly, but it was clear that his criticism was aimed at senior officials in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and members of the selection committee. He implied that the individuals responsible for transforming Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan into openers had done irreversible damage to the team’s long-term structure.
“The person who made Babar and Rizwan openers is responsible for destroying Pakistan cricket. The team now plays like a franchise unit rather than a national side. Everything is based on personal preferences and politics,”
Basit said.
This isn’t the first time Pakistan cricket has faced internal controversies related to team selections, but Basit’s open and public criticism highlighted growing unrest among former players and fans alike.
Pakistan Cricket’s On-Field Troubles Continue
Saturday’s defeat against New Zealand is the latest addition to a string of poor performances from Pakistan cricket in both T20Is and ODIs. After a disheartening 4-1 loss in the T20I series, hopes were high that the return of senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah would stabilize the side. However, the team faltered again.
New Zealand’s Mark Chapman played a magnificent innings, scoring a career-best 132, helping the Black Caps post a daunting total of 344/9. Pakistan’s response was strong initially, with the chase appearing manageable at 249/3. But then came a shocking collapse, as the last seven wickets fell for just 22 runs, with Pakistan being bundled out for 271 in 44.5 overs.
Nathan Smith led the charge with the ball, picking up 4 crucial wickets and triggering a collapse that reflected the deeper issues within Pakistan cricket.
Middle and Lower Order Failures Haunt Pakistan
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan didn’t shy away from admitting the team’s lower-order failed to deliver. While the top-order provided a decent foundation, the bottom six batters could manage just three runs collectively — a stat that reflects the vulnerability and lack of depth in the current Pakistan cricket setup.
Speaking after the match, Rizwan said,
“Our lower order needs to take responsibility. In modern-day cricket, depth in batting is critical. You can’t win games with such collapses.”
Basit Ali echoed this concern, emphasizing that team selection lacks vision and long-term planning.
“It’s shocking to see how the bottom half of the batting lineup contributes nothing. That’s a failure of planning, coaching, and leadership. What has Pakistan cricket come to?” he said.
A Crisis Beyond the Field
Beyond the statistics and on-field defeats, Basit Ali’s outburst brings attention to a bigger issue facing Pakistan cricket — a lack of clear direction. He suggested that cricketing decisions are increasingly driven by favoritism rather than form, merit, or tactical understanding.
Basit’s statement, “Pakistan cricket has become like a franchise team,”
raises serious questions about team dynamics and leadership accountability.
If such views are echoed by others within the cricketing fraternity, the Pakistan Cricket Board may find itself under growing pressure to revamp not just the squad, but also the management and selection approach.
What Lies Ahead for Pakistan Cricket?
With a demoralized squad and increasing criticism from experts and fans alike, the path forward for Pakistan cricket seems steep and uncertain. The ODI series against New Zealand still has one match to go, and the team will be desperate to restore some pride.
However, unless fundamental issues — like consistent selection, batting order clarity, and player development — are addressed, temporary fixes won’t be enough to salvage the long-term health of Pakistan cricket.
The only question now is: Will the PCB and selectors take this criticism seriously and act, or will Pakistan cricket continue down a path of confusion and chaos?
Either way, one thing is clear — the clock is ticking.
