Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing struggles of the national team, attributing their recent failures largely to a rift between captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Ali's comments come in the wake of Pakistan's disappointing performance in England, where they have already lost the three-match Test series 2-0, culminating in a 194-run defeat at Lord's.
The criticism of the Pakistan team has been widespread, with observers pointing to a lack of competitiveness in their play during the first two Tests. However, Ali suggests that the issues plaguing the team extend beyond mere match results. He believes that the leadership conflict between two of the team's senior figures has created a detrimental divide within the squad.
“Babar Azam is not a strong captain. I am not speaking about this based on the performance in England. He has made many wrong decisions. The main reason for Pakistan cricket's downfall is the rift between Shaheen and Babar. When there was a falling-out between the two over the captaincy, Pakistan cricket was ruined that day,” Ali stated during an appearance on the 'Game Plan' show.
Ali elaborated on the implications of the feud, indicating that the negative effects are still evident in the team's current dynamics. He remarked, “Many statements were made, saying Shaheen is a very good bowler and Babar is a very good bowler. The rift, whoever created that, the side effects can be seen now.”
The saga surrounding the captaincy of Pakistan's cricket team has been tumultuous, particularly since the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Following a lackluster performance in India, Babar initially stepped down as captain, paving the way for Shaheen to take over the ODI leadership. However, after a series of poor results in New Zealand, Babar reclaimed the captaincy, though his tenure was short-lived. He was again removed following Pakistan's failure to advance to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
This frequent reshuffling has led to a fragmented leadership structure, with Babar captaining the Test side, Shaheen leading the ODI team, and Salman Ali Agha at the helm of the T20I squad. Ali insists that the ramifications of the earlier captaincy dispute must be considered when evaluating Pakistan's current challenges.
In response to their disappointing tour of England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated significant changes. Recently, the board announced the departure of seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. Additionally, Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been relieved of their duties. White-ball coach Mike Hesson will take charge for the third and final Test against England in Birmingham.
While Babar Azam remains the Test captain, Shaheen Afridi has been sidelined from the red-ball setup and is currently out of favor in Test cricket. Babar, who took over the Test captaincy from Shan Masood earlier this year, led the team to a drawn series against the West Indies. Nevertheless, his own batting form has come under scrutiny, as he has not scored a Test century in four years, adding to the mounting pressure as Pakistan prepares for the final Test at Edgbaston.
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