Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called for a change in leadership in the national Test cricket team, advocating for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to take over as captain.
Ahead of Pakistan’s crucial Test series against England, Ali made this bold suggestion in a video on his YouTube channel, where he shared his thoughts on Rizwan’s leadership potential.
Ali’s recommendation comes in the wake of Pakistan’s recent struggles in Test cricket, most notably their disappointing 0-2 series loss to Bangladesh.
Current Test captain Shan Masood has been heavily criticized for his leadership, particularly after Pakistan’s string of losses under his captaincy.
Since taking charge, Masood has led Pakistan in five Test matches, all of which ended in defeat, including series losses against Australia and Bangladesh.
Ali’s criticism is not only directed at Masood but also at star batter Babar Azam, who previously captained the Test team before Masood’s appointment. Babar’s performance in recent Test matches has been underwhelming, drawing further scrutiny from fans and cricket pundits alike.
Though Babar remains Pakistan’s captain in white-ball cricket, Masood’s leadership in the red-ball format has come under increasing pressure.
In his video, Basit Ali argued that Mohammad Rizwan possesses the qualities needed to reverse Pakistan’s fortunes in the longer format. Rizwan, known for his calm demeanor, consistent performances, and leadership skills, has already shown his ability to handle pressure as a senior player in the team.
Ali believes that Rizwan’s appointment could provide the team with a much-needed boost, especially as Pakistan prepares for a high-stakes Test series against England.
The series, set to begin on October 7 in Multan, holds significant importance for Pakistan, as it will play a pivotal role in their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
A strong showing against England could enhance Pakistan’s standing in the WTC rankings, making leadership decisions all the more critical.
Basit Ali’s suggestion to appoint Rizwan as Test captain adds to the ongoing debate about the team’s future direction, with fans and cricket experts keenly observing what decisions the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take ahead of the England series.
