Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticised the decision to use Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as openers in T20 Internationals, calling those behind the move “foolish” and accusing selectors of sidelining specialist openers.
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Speaking on News’ programme Har Lamha Purjoosh, Basit argued that genuine openers were unfairly pushed aside to accommodate the star duo at the top of the order. While refraining from naming individuals, he said the shift disrupted team balance and created long-term issues in Pakistan’s T20 setup.
“جن لوگوں نے بابر اور رضوان کو اوپنر بنایا وہ بے وقوف تھے۔” باسط علی نے اہم باتیں بتا دیں#ARYNews #T20WorldCup2026 #HLPJ pic.twitter.com/QhK4vqVIuj
— ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) February 12, 2026
He further claimed that all-rounders in the current squad lack confidence because selections were allegedly influenced by personal preferences rather than consistent performance. Basit suggested that performances in foreign leagues, including the Bangladesh Premier League, were given undue weight compared to domestic and international merit.
ARY Sports journalist Najeeb Al-Husnain echoed some of the concerns, noting that Mohammad Nawaz initially struggled to secure his place but later justified his inclusion through improved displays. He also questioned the basis for Shadab Khan’s selection, suggesting that performances in Australia’s Big Bash League influenced decisions more than recent domestic form.
Earlier, former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali weighed in on squad selection for the T20 World Cup, arguing that Rizwan should not have been dropped reportedly due to strike-rate concerns. He maintained that Rizwan’s experience and overall record make him a stronger option than Khawaja Nafay, who, while promising, lacks comparable statistics.
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The debate highlights ongoing scrutiny over team selection and strategy as Pakistan seeks consistency in the shortest format.