‘Pakistan is ruining his confidence’ – Basit Ali urges selectors to rest Babar Azam before Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has slammed the selectors for Babar Azam’s continued poor form with the bat. The 30-year-old came up with single-digit scores in each innings in the Multan Test against the West Indies. This was Babar’s first home Test after being dropped for the final two games of the England series. 

Basit Ali said, “Pakistan is ruining Babar’s confidence when he has found his rhythm. Pakistan are not going to qualify for the final of the WTC and Babar should be rested. If you want to keep him in the Playing XI, prepare good tracks.” 

The former Pakistani batter also added, “Not only Babar but Mohammad Rizwan should also be rested before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. If the pitch is similar to the first Test, their confidence will go down. Babar struggled in the first Test. He found his lost form in South Africa and scored runs in ODIs and Tests.”

Azhar Ali comes out in support of Babar Azam 

Meanwhile, former skipper Azhar Ali has defended Pakistan’s star batter and compared the 30-year-old to Shahid Afridi. Azhar Ali said, “I have criticised Babar a lot on his captaincy; I’m saying this now as well that he has captained for so long; he should have created another team in this duration. But when it comes to batting, I say, Please stop.”

The former Pakistan skipper also said, “I’m like, if you don’t like someone, then you start talking about his batting as well. Yes, at times, you don’t do well in the tournaments but he’s the only player from Pakistan who has given Pakistan a name through his batting.”

Azhar Ali added, “There have been very good Pakistan players, a lot of match-winners but couldn’t catch the world the way Babar has done it. I think the way Babar has made his name in the world and in India, I mean, a normal conventional batsman, is getting cheered by the crowd; I’ve seen the first person after Shahid bhai.”

Pakistan are currently leading the two-match series against the West Indies after winning the first match. After this, the Men in Green get ready for the Champions Trophy, where they will face New Zealand in their opening match and then go to face India on 23rd February.