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Babar Azam's Pakistan suffered a demoralising defeat against India in their T20 World Cup 2024 match on June 9 which left many Pakistani fans, including former cricketers heartbroken. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali was seen shedding tears after Rohit Sharma-led India defeated Pakistan by a narrow margin of six runs. This high-pressure encounter, between the arch-rivals, took place at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. It was the second group-stage match for both teams in the ongoing T20 World Cup. With this victory, India have significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the Super 8 stage. On the other hand, Pakistan's qualification scenario remains uncertain, and they might need to wait for the results of other matches before knowing their fate in the tournament as they have suffered defeats in their first two matches.
Pakistan's qualification for the Super 8 stage hangs in the balance. Their fate rests entirely on their upcoming matches against Canada and Ireland. To progress, they need to win both games, securing a total of 4 points. However, this might not be enough. Pakistan's hopes hinge on results beyond their control as well. Ideally, they need both India and Ireland to defeat the USA. Even if that happens, the net run rate could come into play. Their back-to-back losses against the USA and India have severely hampered their position. Not only do these losses hurt their points tally, but they also take a toll on team morale. Bouncing back from a Super Over defeat followed by a close loss is a significant challenge in a highly competitive tournament.
Pakistan's heartbreaking loss to India, where they squandered a winning position, has ignited a wave of criticism from former Pakistani cricketers. Legends like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, along with recent stars Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez, have all voiced their disapproval of the team's performance. Former batsman Basit Ali has also added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism.
Basit Ali cries after Pakistan's defeat against India
Disgruntled former cricketer Basit Ali unleashed a fiery attack on the Pakistani team following their disappointing performance. Speaking on a local Pakistani news channel, Ali expressed deep frustration, particularly with their inability to chase a modest target of 120 runs.
His criticism went beyond just the team's performance. Ali claimed the players perceive him as a traitor simply because he attends cricket shows and critiques the national team. However, through tear-filled eyes, he passionately asserted his unwavering loyalty to Pakistan and his unwavering national pride.
Adding another layer to his critique, Ali pointed out his past experience selecting some of the struggling players – Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam – for the U-19 team. This personal connection seemingly fueled his anger, as he expressed disappointment with their current performances.
"When we sit here and talk, they say we are traitors and we speak against the Nation. I was a Pakistani, I'm a Pakistani and I will forever be a Pakistani. These guys are annoying. They were literally kids when I had selected them for the U-19s be it Shaheen, Shadab or Babar whoever. And this is how you play against them? This is painful. They don't care about the country," Basit Ali said.
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