Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked a fresh debate by strongly opposing the idea of playing Babar Azam at number four in the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking candidly, Basit said he would rather send Babar Azam back to Pakistan than force him into a role that does not suit his natural game. His remarks have reignited discussions around Pakistan’s batting order and clarity of roles in major tournaments.
Basit Ali made it clear that number four is a critical position in T20 cricket and requires a very specific mindset. He stated that he would never consider batting Babar Azam at number four and would instead prefer Khawaja Nafay for that role. According to Basit, any player sent at number four must be given a clear and direct message to win the match, rather than simply survive or stabilize the innings.
The former batter further warned that the ongoing T20 World Cup could be a turning point for Babar Azam’s T20 career. Basit Ali said that if Pakistan fail to reach the semi-finals, it may signal the end of Babar’s future in T20 internationals. He emphasized that senior players are judged harshly in global tournaments, especially when expectations are high and performances fall short.
Basit Ali also criticised Pakistan’s overall performance in their opening match, suggesting the team indirectly admitted they were unable to score 88 runs in 14 overs. Despite having experienced and well-known players, he said the side appeared confused and lacked clarity about individual roles. This, he added, is a major concern so close to crucial World Cup matches.
Reflecting on the game situation, Basit Ali highlighted that Saim Ayub’s two wickets in a single over completely changed the momentum. He said Pakistan were heading towards defeat until Faheem Ashraf produced a remarkable turnaround. “Without Faheem Ashraf, we had already lost the match,” Basit remarked, underlining the importance of lower-order contributions.
Basit Ali also pointed out that Pakistan approached the second innings as if they were batting first, showing poor awareness despite years of international experience. He noted that many of these players have been part of the setup for three to four years, often blocking the path for emerging talent. It is worth recalling that Pakistan narrowly defeated the Netherlands by three wickets in their opening match, with Faheem Ashraf earning player of the match for his explosive 29 off 11 balls. Pakistan will now face the United States on Tuesday, 10 February.
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