Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized the decision to drop Abrar Ahmed from the national team. Speaking on Har Lamha Purjosh, he said unfair treatment of players can negatively affect a team’s performance. Basit Ali stressed that consistency and merit must guide selection decisions.
“If you are unjust to a player, your performance will also suffer,” Basit Ali remarked. He described Abrar Ahmed as a “proper bowler,” not a part-time option. He added that if Ahmed had been included in Pakistan’s attack, England captain Harry Brook would not have scored so freely.
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik provided a tactical perspective on the team’s performance. He said cricket is a game where bowlers are naturally attacked, but quick adaptation is key. Malik noted that although Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets in his first spell, the rest of the attack struggled once England adjusted their strategy.
Ex-Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal also weighed in, highlighting England’s superior game awareness. He explained how England’s batters carefully assessed Usman Tariq before taking advantage of a loose delivery to hit a six.
Basit Ali further criticized Pakistan’s overall planning. He pointed out the mistake of promoting a lower-order hitter to number three solely to attack. “If a player moves from number five to three, he is clearly there to score quickly. Pakistani bowlers should have targeted him for an early dismissal instead of letting him settle,” he said.
The former cricketer reiterated that dropping Abrar Ahmed weakened Pakistan’s bowling options. He emphasized that Ahmed’s skills and consistency could have made a difference against England. Basit Ali urged selectors to consider merit over temporary tactics in future games to avoid similar mistakes.
Analysts agree that Pakistan’s lack of strategic planning contributed to England’s dominant performance. The inclusion of Abrar Ahmed could have provided a more balanced attack and put pressure on the opposition. Fans and experts alike continue to debate the impact of this selection decision on Pakistan’s performance.
With upcoming matches, attention will be on whether Pakistan adjusts its team strategy and restores players like Abrar Ahmed to the side. His return could strengthen the bowling unit and improve the team’s overall competitiveness.
In other news read more about: Abrar Ahmed Nears No. 1 After Big Rise in T20I Bowling Rankings
