Pakistan Cricket in Crisis: Former Cricketer Alleges Favoritism and Mismanagement

A former Pakistani cricketer, Basit Ali, has made some serious allegations against the current management of the Pakistan cricket team. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Basit claimed that the team’s captain, Babar Azam, is being favored by the management, and that two other players, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, are being unfairly targeted for the team’s poor performance in the recent T20 World Cup.

According to Basit, the management is preparing a report that will blame Afridi and Rizwan for the team’s failures. He warned that such actions could lead to the downfall of Pakistan cricket. “The report being prepared is against Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rizwan. They have been grouped together. This is wrong. The report is being prepared with the intention of making one person a hero and the other two scapegoats. Pakistan cricket will be ruined,” Basit said.

Basit emphasized that if Afridi and Rizwan are not on the same page as Babar, all three should be removed from the team instead of making two scapegoats and one a hero. “If you understand that Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Babar Azam are not on the same page, then all three should be removed. Don’t make two people scapegoats and one a hero,” he added.

Basit also criticized Babar Azam’s captaincy, not only in the recent T20 World Cup but also in previous matches. He highlighted a controversial decision where Babar chose to bowl Nawaz in the final over in Melbourne. “It’s wrong. Babar has not done a good job as captain. Not only in this tournament, but also in the World Cup. The decision he made in Melbourne, where he bowled Nawaz in the last over, was questionable,” Basit remarked.

Basit expressed empathy for Afridi, who was removed from the captaincy after just five matches, acknowledging the natural frustration such a decision would cause. “If someone is removed from captaincy after just five matches, won’t they feel frustrated? We change our TV channels if our favorite show is not good, and we say, ‘Why did they change the channel? I’m not watching it anymore.’ This is a natural feeling,” he said.

These allegations come in the wake of Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they failed to progress beyond the Group Stage, suffering losses to the USA and India.

Historical Context:

Pakistan cricket has a rich history, with a strong following and a successful team in the past. However, in recent years, the team has faced several controversies and setbacks, including the suspension of several players due to spot-fixing scandals and poor performances in international tournaments. The current team, led by captain Babar Azam, has also faced criticism for its inconsistent performances and lack of success in major tournaments.

The allegations made by Basit Ali, a former Pakistani cricketer, are not the first of their kind. There have been several instances of favoritism and mismanagement within the team, with some players being favored over others due to personal relationships or biases. This has led to a sense of discontent among fans and former players, who feel that the team is not being run in a fair and transparent manner.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Basit Ali, a former Pakistani cricketer, has made serious allegations against the current management of the Pakistan cricket team, claiming that captain Babar Azam is being favored and that two other players, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, are being unfairly targeted for the team’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup. • Basit claims that the management is preparing a report that will blame Afridi and Rizwan for the team’s failures, and warns that such actions could lead to the downfall of Pakistan cricket. • He emphasizes that if Afridi and Rizwan are not on the same page as Babar, all three should be removed from the team instead of making two scapegoats and one a hero. • Basit criticizes Babar Azam’s captaincy, highlighting a controversial decision where he chose to bowl Nawaz in the final over in Melbourne. • He expresses empathy for Afridi, who was removed from the captaincy after just five matches, acknowledging the natural frustration such a decision would cause. • The allegations come in the wake of Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they failed to progress beyond the Group Stage, suffering losses to the USA and India.