Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has hit out at the team management following Pakistan’s exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, saying the side no longer feels like Pakistan’s national cricket team.
A five-run win over Sri Lanka in a Super 8 clash it wasn’t enough at Pallekele on Saturday. Pakistan needed a significantly bigger margin to see off New Zealand at sheer pace and join group winners England in the semi-finals. They shortened themselves.
“I have no regrets and nothing to be ashamed of,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
“Just imagine. If Pakistan had scored 65 runs in those final overs instead of 36, they wouldn’t have been knocked out of the semi-finals.”
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He acknowledged that New Zealand deserved their place in the last four. “They worked harder. Their mindset when it came to cricket was just stronger.”
Pakistan reached 212 for eight with a record 176 runs by the opening partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. Farhan hit 100, taking his tournament tally to 383 runs, surpasses Virat Kohli’s 319 in the 2014 edition while Fakhar blasted 84 off 42 balls.
From this position, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less to qualify. Instead, Sri Lanka finished on 207 for six, with Pavan Rathnayake scoring 58 and Dasun Shanaka smashing an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls.
Pakistan was also almost dragged into defeat. In the final over off the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shanaka hit 4, 6, 6, 6, leaving Sri Lanka needing six from two balls. A missing leg and a well-executed yorker ensured a narrow victory – but the damage was already done.
Much of Basit’s anger was directed at the treatment of Babar Azam and what he described as public undermining by head coach Mike Hesson.
“He has openly said that Babar lacks intent in the power bowler and his strike rate is so low,” Basit said. “If he is not fit after 10 slow overs, then why was he selected for the team? Who selected him and who will hold the head coach accountable?”
Basit also criticized the decision to push Babar down the order. “I’ve said it on TV – don’t bat Babar at number four, that spot just doesn’t suit him. You can’t even make that kind of sacrifice – that the guy should come at number three and score. So your intentions weren’t right.”
Basit also criticized former cricketers-turned-pundits who supported Shadab Khan as the future captain.
“Seriously – have some shame and give some real advice for the country,” he said. “You represented this country. Are we getting this?”
However, his sharpest line was reserved for the larger structure around the team.
“This Pakistan team felt more like a franchise cricket team,” Basit said. “Whenever a coach interferes with team selection, this is exactly what happens. Don’t call it the Pakistan team. Call it Mike Hesson’s team.”
He ended with a direct appeal to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
“Mr Chairman an operation is needed. Bring in good people. Keep good advisers. Your cricket will not improve in a year. Bring in people who have good service records, who understand cricket and who can take your cricket forward step by step at the junior level.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
March 1, 2026 1:19 PM IST
