Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been under criticism for months. A power couple of Pakistan cricket, their levels were low after Pakistan’s recent poor performances in ICC tournaments the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. And now, following Pakistan’s recent 202-run defeat to the West Indies, the two have been on the receiving end of some stern criticism. The West Indies ended a 34-year drought with a comprehensive 202-run, series-winning win over Pakistan in Trinidad on Tuesday, reports the ICC website.
West Indies End 34-Year Drought With Dominant Performance
Skipper Shai Hope spearheaded from the front with an unbeaten 120 to guide the West Indies to 294/6, and fast bowler Jayden Seales took six wickets in return as Pakistan were dismissed for a mere 92, helping the home team win the series 2-1.
It was also the West Indies’ fourth-largest men’s ODI victory (in terms of runs) and Hope revealed there were plenty of positives for his team to take from the game and series. Babar Azam scored 9 in that game, and Rizwan was bowled for 0.
Basit Ali’s Harsh Remarks on Babar and Rizwan
“They’re not living up to the performances they produced at the beginning of their careers. Ab inse bas advertisements kara lo (Let them just do ads now),” Basit Ali said on The Game Plan.
“They don’t listen to the coaches. Whatever the batting coaches say, they just keep pretending to listen. They need someone who can give them a wake-up call, like Inzamam, Yousuf, or Younis Khan. And they know there’s no one who would do that, because they didn’t let anyone do it before.”
Kamran Akmal Defends Babar Azam
Basit further stated Babar should leave his ego behind, but Kamran Akmal came to the defense of the ex-Pakistan skipper.
“I can guarantee that I haven’t seen ego in him. He respects his family and meets everyone respectfully. But what I want from him is that, when he enters the field, he doesn’t act bigger than the game. Prioritise Pakistan. The investments he made in some players during his tenure as Pakistan captain didn’t favour the country, either,” said Akmal.
