Babar Azam Faces Heavy Criticism After Poor Show vs Netherlands

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali criticised Babar Azam after his 15-run knock against the Netherlands, questioning his place in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

Questions around Babar Azam’s role in T20Is resurfaced after his poor outing against the Netherlands in Colombo. Babar scored 15 from 18 balls, slowing the chase and allowing the Netherlands back into the game. Pakistan avoided defeat only due to Faheem Ashraf’s late 29 off 11 balls.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali criticised Babar’s approach and suggested his T20 World Cup place could come under threat for the next match against the USA. He felt the coaching staff showed clear disappointment after the dismissal. Babar attempted an aggressive shot but mistimed it and was caught at long-off.

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“I have a feeling that Babar will not play in Pakistan’s next game. The anger I saw on coach Mike Hesson’s face… I don’t think that he will play Babar at no 4 again in the next game,” said Basit Ali on the ‘Game Plan’ show.

Notably, ahead of the World Cup, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had already indicated that no player was guaranteed selection if team balance required changes.

Basit Ali questions Babar Azam’s T20 role

The former cricketer then argued that Babar does not fit the demands of the shortest format. He pointed to Babar’s poor run in the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers before the World Cup. He also recalled an incident against Sydney Thunder, where Steve Smith blocked a single to keep Babar off strike during the Power Surge.

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“If you call Babar Azam a superstar in ODIs or Tests, I might still agree. But in T20Is? Kahaan se superstar hai? (How is he a superstar?) A batter who drops down from his regular batting position and comes out to bat at no 4, and cannot even tell the management that he’s not a no 4 batter! Doesn’t Babar know this?” Basit questioned.

“Even a club cricketer will tell you that in T20S, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, they are all better players in the format than Babar! Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are also better T20 players than Babar. Even Salman Ali Agha has shown that he’s a better player at No. 3 than Babar. After what Steve Smith did with Babar Azam in the Big Bash League, people still haven’t become wise! He denied a single just to prevent Babar from getting on strike. His game is not suited to T20s,” the former cricketer concluded.