Internal Rift Between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Behind Pakistan’s Cricket Downfall, Claims Basit Ali
The leadership instability and internal friction between two of Pakistan’s biggest stars have left the national team in a state of disarray, according to former Test batter Basit Ali.
As Pakistan reels from a dismal showing in their ongoing Test series against England—having surrendered the three-match contest 2-0 following a crushing 194-run defeat at Lord’s—the post-mortem into the team’s decline has intensified. While fans and pundits have criticized the side’s lack of competitive fight, former cricketer Basit Ali believes the root cause of the malaise lies deep within the team’s internal politics.
A “Ruined” Dressing Room
Speaking on the sports show Game Plan, Basit Ali pointed toward a toxic leadership struggle as the catalyst for the current decline. The rift between white-ball spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and star batter Babar Azam, which reportedly escalated over captaincy disputes, remains a sore point for 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,” Basit stated. “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.”
Basit noted that the, “side effects” of this division, which saw public statements made to clarify the standing of both players, are now manifest in the team’s lackluster on-field performances.
The Captaincy Carousel
The instability stems from a chaotic period of leadership reshuffling within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Following the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar Azam stepped down from the leadership role. Shaheen Afridi was briefly handed the reins for the T20I side, only for the board to revert to Babar after a series of poor results in New Zealand.
The cycle continued following a premature exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, leading to the current fragmented structure: Babar Azam remains the Test captain, while the board continues to experiment with leadership roles across the shorter formats, leaving players and fans alike confused by the lack of continuity.
Sweeping Overhauls After England Disaster
In response to the humiliation in England, the PCB has initiated a drastic administrative purge. On Monday, the board announced that seven players—including senior figures like Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha—would be sent home. Furthermore, the coaching staff has seen significant turnover, with Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul being removed from their duties.
White-ball coach Mike Hesson is expected to step in to oversee the final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. As Pakistan looks to salvage pride in the series finale, the pressure on Babar Azam is at an all-time high. Not only is his tactical acumen under the microscope, but his batting form in the longest format has hit a stagnant patch; the former captain has now gone four years without a Test century.
With the team struggling for identity, the question remains whether the PCB can bridge the internal divides that Basit Ali claims have fundamentally damaged the fabric of the national setup.
