Former Pakistan player Basit Ali has questioned Babar Azam’s stature as a batting great after the current Test captain flopped in the second five-day game against England at Lord’s. The hosts secured a 194-run win over the visiting side to take a 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series. Babar was ruled out of the series opener in Leeds after injuring his hand in the practice fixture.
He returned to the playing XI but managed just six runs in his team’s second innings in a chase of 389. The veteran had managed to post eight runs in the first innings. The sub-continent nation was dismissed for 110 and 194 across two innings.
Speaking on The Game Plan, Basit mentioned that Pakistan’s great batters were hailed for their performances when the chips were down, and the team was under pressure.
“The former players didn’t become great just like that. I am not mentioning the name of Sachin Tendulkar. I am talking about the players from Pakistan,” Basit said.
He then questioned whether Babar has been among the runs in tough situations.
“When you don’t perform during the times of need, what’s the use? Your performance is never up to the mark in difficult situations. You are a great player among your fans. You are a great player on social media,” he added.
Basit didn’t like the way Babar was dismissed in the second innings of the last Test at the Home of Cricket. He failed to deal with the sharp bouncer from England fast bowler Jofra Archer and edged it to Jordon Cox in the slip cordon. He hasn’t scored a Test hundred in 1,344 days, with his last century coming against New Zealand in 2022. Babar scored 161 in the Karachi Test in December.
“What will you do? I am taking Babar Azam’s name as he hasn’t scored a hundred in Test cricket for four years. When will you post a hundred?” he questioned.
“It is a matter of concern and pain as the entire batting revolves around you. Atleast don’t play such shots,” he concluded.
Pakistan have already conceded the series, and the final game of the bilateral assignment is scheduled to start at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9.
Babar was given the captain’s armband before the two-Test series against the West Indies. Shan Masood was sacked after the team’s below-par results and was replaced by Babar. Pakistan levelled the Windies series 1-1, with the star batter returning to form with the bat. However, he was once again found wanting against a better team.