Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made a shocking statement, disowning the national team after their disappointing exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. But here's the twist: he's pointing fingers at the head coach, Mike Hesson, and his controversial team selection.
The Pakistan team, led by Salman Ali Agha, failed to secure a spot in the semifinals due to a net run rate (NRR) setback. Despite a thrilling five-run victory over Sri Lanka in their last Super 8 match, it wasn't enough to secure their place. The team's fate was sealed by a narrow margin, finishing third in Group 2 behind New Zealand.
But here's where it gets interesting: Basit Ali believes they could have made it to the semis. He highlights the opening partnership of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who put on a remarkable 176-run stand for the first wicket. However, the middle order's collapse in the final five overs, losing eight wickets for just 49 runs, became the turning point.
In a passionate YouTube video, Basit Ali expressed his frustration with the middle order's performance. He argued that if they had scored more runs in those crucial overs, Pakistan would have advanced. He said, "If Pakistan had scored 65 runs instead of 36 in those final overs, they could have sealed the semifinal spot."
Now, this is the part most people miss: Basit Ali questioned the selection of Babar Azam, the star batsman. He revealed that Hesson had openly criticized Babar's intent and strike rate in the powerplay. But the real controversy lies in Basit's next statement. He asked, "If Babar isn't suitable after 10 slow overs, why was he picked?" Basit further criticized the team management for their handling of Usman Khan, who was pushed down the order despite a brilliant 44 off 20 balls against India.
Basit Ali didn't hold back, saying, "Usman is just not a favorite. The truth is, he's not favored." He also accused the management of making repeated mistakes, like leaving out Abrar Ahmed, and criticized former players-turned-experts for their opinions. Basit urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to take action, stating, "This team is more like a franchise setup. Bring in experienced people and focus on long-term growth."
And this is where it gets even more controversial. Basit Ali boldly suggested that the team should be called 'Mike Hesson's team' instead of 'Pakistan's team.' He believes the coach's interference in team selection is to blame for their World Cup exit.
So, what do you think? Is Basit Ali right to criticize the team management and coach? Or is he missing the bigger picture? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a healthy debate!
