Babar Azam at No. 4? Basit Ali Criticises Pakistan Team Strategy has sparked fresh debate across Pakistan cricket circles. The discussion around Babar Azam at No. 4 continues because many experts question this team management decision. Former cricketer Basit Ali openly said Babar Azam is not a natural number four batter. He believes the move has hurt team balance and created middle-order pressure.
Speaking on Har Lamha Purjosh on ARY News, Basit Ali shared strong views. He argued that Babar Azam performs best at number three or as an opener. Statistics support this claim because Babar averages above 55 in ODIs at No. 3. However, his impact at number four remains limited in recent matches.
The Babar Azam batting position debate intensified after Pakistan’s match against Namibia. During that game, the coach delayed sending Babar to bat. Critics saw this as a coaching decision controversy. Basit Ali also questioned Pakistan squad selection decisions and called some inclusions “parachute selections.” He even referenced Mike Hesson’s sudden involvement in team matters.
Pakistan middle order issues have added fuel to this argument. The Sufiyan Muqeem exclusion also raised eyebrows among fans. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan’s quick innings earlier did not face similar criticism. Such inconsistency shows a deeper Pakistan cricket team selection controversy.
Basit Ali’s criticism of Babar Azam focuses on strategy, not talent. He believes Babar Azam opening batsman, should be explored. This batting order reshuffle may solve team combination issues. At the same time, Shaheen Afridi’s poor form remains a separate concern.
In conclusion, Babar Azam at No. 4? Basit Ali Criticises Pakistan Team Strategy highlights serious national team lineup concerns. The debate reflects the Pakistan team’s struggles and demands a smarter cricket squad selection before a major tournament.
