A shocking prediction has been made by former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali, leaving fans and critics alike in a state of disbelief. In a recent YouTube appearance on 'The Game Plan', Basit boldly stated that Babar Azam, Pakistan's star batter, might not make the cut for their upcoming group stage match against the USA in the T20 World Cup. This comes after a nail-biting win against the Netherlands, where Pakistan narrowly escaped defeat, thanks to Faheem Ashraf's heroic cameo.
But here's where it gets controversial... Basit Ali, known for his straight-shooting opinions, went on to criticize Babar's performance and questioned his suitability for the T20 format. He argued that Babar's style of play doesn't align with the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, and his decision to bat at No. 4 instead of his regular position is a strategic mistake.
"If we're talking about ODIs or Tests, I'd still consider Babar a superstar. But in T20s? It's a different story. A batter who voluntarily drops down to No. 4 and then fails to communicate his discomfort with that position - doesn't he know better?" Basit questioned.
He further emphasized that even amateur club cricketers could see that Babar's game isn't suited for T20s, and players like Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz are far more adept at this format.
And this is the part most people miss... Basit Ali pointed out that Babar's dismissal by Roelof van der Merwe, which left him with a mere 15 runs off 18 balls, was a clear indication of his struggles. He even compared it to Steve Smith's strategic move in the Big Bash League, where he denied Babar a single to prevent him from facing the next ball.
"People haven't learned from that incident!" Basit exclaimed.
When the discussion turned to potential replacements for Babar, the host brought up Khawaja Nafay, who was waiting in the wings. However, Basit Ali argued that the experience gap between Babar and other players was a result of the management's decision to favor certain players over others.
"Has Babar Azam ever won us a game when the required run rate was 10 per over?" Basit asked, implying that Babar's track record in such situations was questionable.
As the conversation progressed, Kamran Akmal, who was also on the show, agreed that the management was forcing Babar into a role that didn't suit him.
"They're obliging players instead of building a system," Kamran said.
So, will Babar Azam be dropped for Pakistan's crucial match against the USA? And if so, who will replace him? These questions are sure to spark intense debates among cricket enthusiasts. What do you think? Should Babar be given another chance, or is it time for a new face to step up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
