Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed strong support for Babar Azam following his exclusion from the second and third Tests against England, a decision that surprised many within the Pakistan cricket community. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) restructured its selection committee after Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the first Test at Multan, leading to the resting of key players such as Babar, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi for the remaining matches.
While the PCB’s decision drew criticism, the team showed improvement in the second Test at Multan, leveling the series with an impressive performance. Kamran Ghulam, who replaced Babar, marked his Test debut with a century, while bowlers Sajid Khan and Nouman Ali dominated the English batting lineup, sharing 20 wickets between them.
Despite the team’s success, Basit Ali remains confident that Babar will make a return. He stated on his YouTube channel, “He still has a place in the team. He will return to the team after two Test matches.”
Another issue facing the PCB is the vacant white-ball captaincy after Babar Azam stepped down from the role just before the England Test series. Basit Ali believes that the choice for the next limited-overs captain will likely come down to Mohammad Rizwan or Salman Agha. “Mohammad Rizwan or Salman Agha will be the next white-ball captain,” said the former international.
The PCB has yet to announce Babar’s successor, and clarity on the leadership role is crucial as the team looks ahead to the Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan.
