‘Babar Azam Lacks a Voice’: Basit Ali Cites Virat Kohli’s Stance in T20 World Cup Rant
The decision to shift Babar Azam from his preferred opening spot during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup continues to generate severe scrutiny within Pakistan’s cricket community. The strategic shift ultimately failed to deliver results, as Pakistan suffered a historic group-stage exit following unexpected losses to the United States and India.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Batting Order Debate
Throughout the tournament, Babar struggled to find rhythm while batting at No. 3, a position he accepted to accommodate Saim Ayub at the top of the order. The tactical adjustment under head coach Gary Kirsten proved ineffective. Pakistan failed to advance to the Super 8 stage, completely missing out on high-stakes fixtures.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali strongly criticized how the situation was handled, stating that Babar should have opposed the decision to move down the order. According to Basit, the former captain should have challenged the team management rather than quietly accepting a role that did not suit his batting profile.
Speaking on the local sports program ‘Game Plan’, Basit argued that top players must take firm stands regarding their careers.
“Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman do not have a voice. How come they agreed to bat in the middle order?” Basit asked during the broadcast. “If I were his close aide, I would have told him to refuse. The management just threw him under the bus.”
The Virat Kohli Comparison
To emphasize his point, Basit referenced Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, noting how elite players handle leadership and management disputes. When Kohli was informed he was no longer in the BCCI‘s plans for ODI captaincy in late 2021, he took a definitive stance, eventually stepping away from the Test captaincy as well.
“I just have one example. When Virat Kohli was dealing with captaincy issues, he took a firm stand,” Basit noted. “He does not have a shortage of money or confidence. Babar should not have accepted the decision.”
Contrary to circulating rumors, Kohli remains an active participant in Test and ODI formats for India. Following his recent triumph in the 2024 tournament, Kohli officially retired from T20 International cricket, passing the baton to the next generation. Rohit Sharma continues to lead India in Tests and ODIs, recently securing a 4-1 series victory against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy.
T20 World Cup 2024 Campaign Comparison
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average | Tournament Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 4 | 122 | 30.50 | Group Stage Exit |
| Virat Kohli | 8 | 151 | 18.87 | Champions |
Akmal’s Rebuttal: Form Dictates Leverage
Not all former players agree with Basit’s assessment. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal offered a counter-argument, suggesting that players rarely challenge management when their individual form is inconsistent.
“No player dares to go against the team management,” Akmal responded. “I have only seen Younis Khan being adamant about his position. As a player, you simply cannot say that. You will be pushed to the sidelines.”
Akmal emphasized that bargaining power in international cricket stems directly from recent performances. During the months leading up to the World Cup, Babar’s strike rate and run accumulation had faced heavy criticism from analysts at ESPNcricinfo and other major sports outlets.
- Form over preference: Akmal argues struggling batters must accept any assigned role.
- Management authority: Coaches hold the final say on match-day lineups.
- Historical precedent: Very few Pakistan players have successfully defied board directives without facing disciplinary action.
“When the form is not there, no player makes demands,” Akmal concluded. “Big players agree to these adjustments. When a batter is out of form, they would even agree to bat at No. 8 just to stay in the playing XI.”