Babar Azam a great player only on social media: Basit Ali takes aim at Pak skipper

Babar Azam has faced sharp criticism from Basit Ali after managing just 14 runs in the Lord's Test as Pakistan fell 0-2 behind England. With Pakistan's batting struggling throughout the series, the pressure is mounting on Babar to deliver in the final Test.Babar Azam failed to deliver in the Lord's Test. Courtesy: ReutersPakistan captain Babar Azam has come under fierce criticism from former cricketer Basit Ali following another disappointing outing in the ongoing Test series against England. Babar, who returned to the side for the second Test at Lord’s after recovering from a finger injury, managed just 8 and 6 as Pakistan slumped to a 194-run defeat and conceded an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.The poor returns have once again put the spotlight on Babar’s prolonged Test-century drought. His last hundred came against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022, and the Pakistan skipper has now gone around four years without reaching three figures in the format, despite remaining one of the country’s most high-profile batters.Basit did not hold back while questioning whether Babar had delivered enough when Pakistan needed him most.“They didn’t become great players just like that. I’m not even talking about Sachin Tendulkar. I’m talking about my own countrymen. When you don’t do anything in difficult times, what’s the point? You’re a great player in your fan following. You’re a great player in front of social media,” Basit said on YouTube show The Game Plan. “When will you do it? I’m talking about Babar [Azam]. I’ll take his name. He hasn’t scored a (Test) hundred in four years. When will you do it? It’s a matter of pain. When the entire country’s batting depends on you. At least don’t get out by hitting such a shot,” he added.BABAR AND PAKISTAN STRUGGLE IN ENGLANDPakistan’s batting has been the biggest concern of the series, with the team failing to cross 200 in any of their innings so far. At Lord’s, they were bowled out for 110 in the first innings before managing 194 while chasing a daunting target of 389. Saud Shakeel’s 97 was the lone major act of resistance in the second innings. For Babar, the Lord’s Test was particularly frustrating. His aggregate of 14 runs from two innings marked his lowest match aggregate when batting twice since January 2025. Pakistan had hoped their captain’s return would strengthen a fragile batting line-up, but his failure only added to the pressure surrounding the team.Pakistan now face the prospect of a 3-0 whitewash when the final Test begins in Birmingham on September 9, while Babar will once again carry the weight of expectation as he looks to silence his growing list of critics.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 22:31 IST