“Social Media Player”: Former Cricketer Basit Ali Lashes Out at Babar Azam Following Lord’s Collapse
The fallout from Pakistan’s dismal performance in the second Test against England at Lord’s has intensified, with former national team batter Basit Ali delivering a scathing assessment of captain Babar Azam.
Pakistan’s 194-run defeat on Sunday sealed a 2-0 series loss, cementing a narrative of recurring batting failures under pressure. Tasked with chasing a daunting 389 for victory, the visitors crumbled, managing only 194 all out. Babar’s personal contribution was minimal, recording scores of eight and six across the two innings.
“Greatness Measured in Performances, Not Followers”
Speaking on The Game Plan, Basit Ali took aim at the modern perception of Pakistan’s star players. He questioned whether Babar’s reputation is built on actual match-winning contributions or merely his online popularity.
“They didn’t become great players just like that. I’m not even talking about Sachin Tendulkar. I’m talking about my own countrymen,” Basit said. “When you don’t do anything in difficult times, what’s the point? You’re a great player in your fan following. You’re a great player in front of social media.”
The criticism centers on a staggering statistic: Babar has not scored a Test century since his 161 against New Zealand in December 2022. Basit expressed deep frustration over the manner of Babar’s dismissal at Lord’s, where he was caught in the slips by Jordan Cox after a misjudged leave against Jofra Archer.
“It’s a matter of pain,” Basit remarked. “When the entire country’s batting depends on you, at least don’t get out by hitting such a shot.”
Wider Criticism of the Batting Lineup
Basit’s frustration was not reserved solely for the captain. He also slammed the shot selection of other key batters. Saud Shakeel, who offered the most resistance with a spirited 97, was criticized for failing to exercise patience. Despite being the team’s anchor, Shakeel fell just three runs shy of a century while attempting an aggressive heave, a decision Basit labeled as poor judgment.
Similarly, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan faced sharp rebukes for his one-run outing. “What shot did Rizwan hit? Doesn’t he have any sense? Is he playing a Test match or street cricket?” Basit asked.
A Series of Collapses
The second Test performance was symptomatic of Pakistan’s broader struggles throughout the series. The chase on Sunday saw an early collapse against the clinical bowling of Ollie Robinson, who dismantled the top order. Despite a brief, determined partnership between Shakeel and captain Shan Masood, the visitors could never maintain momentum. Following rain interruptions and the loss of key wickets, Pakistan’s resistance withered.
With the series already conceded, the pressure will be immense when the two sides meet for the final Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting September 9. For Babar Azam and his squad, the upcoming match represents an urgent need for redemption in the eyes of their critics and the frustrated Pakistan fanbase.
