Former cricketer Basit Ali has slammed Pakistan’s top-order performance, especially Babar Azam, in the ongoing Multan Test against England. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Basit expressed his disappointment with the conservative batting approach shown by Babar as well as Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel.
Despite playing on a pitch tailor-made for batsmen, Basit believes the trio missed a golden opportunity to put the opposition under pressure. Babar Azam departed after scoring 30 runs ffrom 71 balls, extending his string of failures.
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Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique (102 off 184) and Saud Shakeel (82 off 177), both failed to demonstrate the aggression needed for such batting-friendly conditions, according to Basit.
“Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel batted as if they were playing on difficult pitches like those in Australia or England. They didn’t play according to the pitch and seemed more concerned with taking their turns. That’s just not right,” Basit Ali said.
A Tale of Two Different Approaches
While Babar, Shafique and Shakeel chose the cautious route, captain Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha had different plans altogether. Their aggressive intent was exactly what Basit felt the situation called for, and both players delivered brilliantly.
Shan led from the front with a commanding 151 off 177 balls, and Salman continued the momentum, smashing an unbeaten 104.
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“Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha were the only two guys who played according to the pitch. What’s the point of scoring 30 runs from 70-80 balls or a century in 180 balls on such a flat track?” Basit asked.
He pointed to Shan’s ability to balance aggression and control, which resulted in a quick and effective 151-run knock. For Basit, this was the approach everyone should have followed.
A Strong First Innings, But Is It Enough?
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, piling up an imposing total of 556 runs in their first innings. It seemed like a dream start, but Basit’s frustrations suggest there could have been even more on the board had the intent been more positive.
Meanwhile, England wasted no time in their reply. Their aggressive batting, a hallmark of their modern approach, saw them reach 351-3 at Tea on Day 3.
Basit’s comments bring up an important point about mindset. On flat pitches like Multan’s, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about putting pressure on the opposition and maximizing scoring opportunities.
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