Pakistan cricket’s prolonged instability has once again come under scrutiny, with former cricketer Basit Ali claiming that a reported rift between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi played a major role in the team’s decline.
Pakistan’s leadership has changed repeatedly in recent years, with Babar, Shaheen, Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood among those to have taken on captaincy across formats. According to Basit, the dispute between Babar and Shaheen over the leadership was a turning point for the national side.
“Babar Azam is not a strong captain. I am not speaking about this based on the performance in England. He has made many wrong decisions. The main reason for Pakistan cricket’s downfall is the rift between Shaheen and Babar,” Basit said on the ‘Game Plan’ show.
“When there was a falling-out between the two over the captaincy, Pakistan cricket was ruined that day.”
Basit Ali blames Babar-Shaheen dispute
Basit suggested that the disagreement had consequences beyond the captaincy itself, arguing that the tension between two of Pakistan’s most prominent players affected the wider team environment.
“Many statements were made, saying Shaheen is a very good bowler and Babar is a very good batter. The rift, whoever created that, the side effects can be seen now,” he added.
The comments come amid another period of upheaval for Pakistan, with the team struggling for consistency and the Pakistan Cricket Board making significant changes to its playing and coaching group.
Pakistan Cricket make sweeping changes after England defeat
The PCB has made extensive changes ahead of the third and final Test against England after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat in the second match to fall 2-0 behind in the series.
Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad, have been released from the squad.
In their place, Pakistan have brought in five uncapped players, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal are also part of the revamped group. The uncapped additions are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah.
The coaching structure has also been altered. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who work with Pakistan’s white-ball side as head coach and bowling coach respectively, have joined the Test setup.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have meanwhile parted ways with the team.
Pakistan’s leadership crisis continues
The latest changes underline the instability that has surrounded Pakistan cricket across formats.
The captaincy has repeatedly shifted between senior players, while changes to the coaching structure and playing personnel have accompanied the team’s inconsistent results.
Basit’s comments add another dimension to the discussion, placing the reported Babar-Shaheen dispute at the centre of Pakistan’s wider problems.
With the team now attempting to rebuild amid another major overhaul, the focus will be on whether the latest changes can provide the stability Pakistan have struggled to find.