Former Pakistan cricketer Bastet Ali has sparked a new controversy by claiming Babar Azam is behind Azhar Ali's retirement. Basit further claimed that Azhar wanted to reach the 100-Test milestone before retiring from Test cricket, but Babar would not allow it.
Basit Ali also continued to make some serious allegations against former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ehsan Mani and Babar Azam, saying the former Test captain had no choice but to do so.
Basit ali claims that Babar Azam forced Azhar Ali to take retirement test
The former Pakistan selector also claimed that it was Izhan Mani's idea to show the doors to Azhar Ali, and Babar backed his idea, which ended the former batsman's dream of reaching the Test mark of 100. Notably, the former right-handed batsman retired from Test Cricket after playing his final match against New Zealand in January. 2018.
Azhar finished his career with 7,142 runs with the help of 19 hundreds and 35 in 97 matches at an average of 42. He also represented Pakistan in 53 ODIs and scored 1845 runs. Now, he is a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Men's Selection Committee and is currently working as the Head of Youth Development at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“Azhar Ali wanted to play 100 Test matches, but the then PCB president did not allow him to do so,” Basit Ali said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. “Babar Azam was the captain at that time. Babar also did not support Azhar Ali in this decision. He took Retirement because of that.” Notably, Ali played for Pakistan in 2022.
Please don't make Babar Azam a goat sacrifice
Meanwhile, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are said to be all set for the men in green in the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. However, Basit Ali disputes this “sacrificial goat” idea.
The former Pakistan cricketer added, “Please don't make Babar Azam the sacrificial goat. Everyone knows there will be two new balls, and New Zealand has bowlers who are at over 145 kmph. The first match in Pakistan is against New Zealand. God forbid, if “Babar went out there, everyone's breath would stop, and the crowd in the stadium would be amazed.”
Moreover, Basit also suggested opting for specialist openers, as if both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman fail to deliver, it would be unfair to the entire Pakistan.
Pakistan need to pick a backup opener for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
He signed off by saying, “God forbid, if Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman don't study, who will open? Always go for the specialists in the big events. You will have to keep the opener. Otherwise, it will be unfair to Pakistan.”
Notably, Pakistan is the only team yet to announce the squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they will enter as defending champions. They will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
