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Pakistan team's performance has only seen a decline in the recent past. Following an early ouster from the Champions Trophy 2025, Mohammad Rizwan's endured a clean sweep in a subsequent three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Adding to their woes, a relatively inexperienced Pakistani side suffered a convincing 1-4 defeat in a five-match T20I series, also at the hands of the Blackcaps. This string of disappointing performances has prompted strong criticism from former Pakistani batter Basit Ali, who has vehemently called for the resignation of the selection committee and head coach Aaqib Javed, holding them and PCB accountable for the team's lackluster showing.
The criticism intensified particularly in light of Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy. The team management faced considerable backlash for their selection strategy, notably including only one frontline spinner, Abrar Ahmad, in the squad. Several cricket analysts and experts highlighted this as a critical error in judgment for such a major international tournament.
Looking ahead, Basit Ali holds a pessimistic view of Pakistan's prospects under the current leadership. He believes that if the existing selection committee and head coach remain in their positions, Pakistan is destined to lose their upcoming series against Bangladesh. In a stark and uncompromising statement, he asserted that even a tomato seller knows more than the Pakistan's management and leadership group.
“The selection committee should resign. They don't know how to make teams. From the Champions Trophy until now, it has been a flop show. Even the tomato seller knows more than you. They were also asking why you didn't include spinners in the Champions Trophy. Aaqib Javed should step down. If you stay for four months, you will lose against Bangladesh as well,,” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
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Continuing his criticism, Basit Ali has also called upon the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, to thoroughly assess the current state of affairs within Pakistani cricket. Moreover, he proposed an alteration to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) format, advocating for its organisation as a T10 tournament. Ali believes that adopting this shorter format would be instrumental in enhancing the power-hitting capabilities of key Pakistani batsmen such as Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. The recent struggles of the Pakistani team include their premature exit from the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, a consequence of defeats suffered against both New Zealand and India in the group stage. Their final group match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was ultimately abandoned due to inclement weather, further compounding their disappointing campaign.
Echoing the sentiment of concern, former Pakistan fast bowler Sikander Bakht has gone a step further by urging the PCB to revoke the central contracts of the current players. He suggested that these contracts should only be reinstated upon the team achieving significant milestones, specifically winning either the Asia Cup or a World Cup.
