Basit Ali Critiques Pakistan’s Strategy and Babar Azam’s Opening Position Ahead of Champions Trophy

Basit Ali Critiques Pakistan Cricket Team’s Strategy Ahead of Champions Trophy

In the aftermath of Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the tri-nation series, former cricketer Basit Ali has raised serious concerns about the team’s strategy, particularly the decision to have Babar Azam open the innings. This critique follows Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the final, raising questions about the team’s preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Questioning Babar’s Opening Position

Basit Ali expressed his bewilderment over Babar Azam’s placement at the top of the order. “Who told Babar Azam to open? I am surprised,” he stated on his YouTube channel. He pointed out that Babar had been performing exceptionally well at number three, scoring consistently against South Africa, before being moved up the order. “Now, just 62 runs in three matches in the tri-series. This is the approach, this is the thinking,” he lamented.

Focus on Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, Basit emphasized the need for the team to concentrate on their next match against New Zealand instead of getting distracted by the prospect of facing India. “We keep talking about India’s match, but we had to think about New Zealand first,” he remarked. He questioned the team’s lineup and strategy, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions regarding player selections.

Concerns Over Captain’s Confidence

Basit also noted captain Mohammad Rizwan’s apparent lack of confidence in certain players, specifically mentioning Faheem Ashraf. “Rizwan clearly showed he is not happy with Faheem Ashraf coming into the team,” he observed, which could impact team morale heading into the Champions Trophy.

Confidence is Key

As Pakistan prepares for its Champions Trophy campaign, Basit reiterated the significance of confidence in cricket. “Winning this tri-nation series could have boosted morale. Now, what will be your confidence?” he warned, emphasizing that a shaken confidence could leave the team at a disadvantage.

As the cricketing world watches closely, Pakistan will need to regroup and refocus as they gear up for their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

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