Follow UsFormer Pakistan cricketer-turned-coach Basit Ali was unhappy with Babar Azam’s slow knock against New Zealand on February 19 (Wednesday). The former batter was so upset that he even questioned Babar’s attitude towards the nation, stating that the former Pakistan skipper was only playing for his ‘own records’.
“81 ball pe 50 kara hai Babar ne… total 90 balls mey 64 (Babar Azam has completed his half-century in 81 balls and has managed 64 balls in 90 balls),” Basit Ali said on Ary News’ cricket show “Har Lamha Purjosh.”
“Kya wo sirf 50 ke liye khel rahe they (Was he only playing for his milestone).
“Kya unhe apne mulk ke liye nahi khelna tha (Shouldn’t he played for his country).
“Mulk phle ya Babar Azam phle. Koi puchega unse (Country is first or Babar Azam is first, will someone ask him?).
Throughout his stay at the crease, Babar was more than content with finding gaps and did not target the big hits a lot, as evidenced by his seven boundaries and a strike rate of 71.11 in a run chase of 321.
Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha, who walked in at No.5, smacked a 28-ball 42, a knock where he found as many foundries in almost ten overs less than Babar.
“5 chauke maare apne 50 mey (you have hit only five boundaries in his knock. Usse badhiya toh Salman Ali Agha kehla hai (Salman Ali Agha showed more intent than Babar Azam).
“Social media mey hume log gaddar bolte hai kyunki hum Babar Azam ko criticise karte hai (On social media fans call me traitor for criticising Babar Azam).”
Pakistan are now in a do-or-die situation, with their next clash against arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai.