Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali slammed Abdullah Shafique for his lackluster performance in the opening Test against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s decision to declare at 448/6 in the first innings came back to haunt them after Bangladesh outplayed them in all facets of the game. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side scripted history by clinching a 10-wicket victory in Rawalpindi. Their emphatic triumph marked their first win against Pakistan in the Test format.
On Day 5, Pakistan kept on losing on regular intervals, but Shafique held onto his end and continued to pile up runs on the board. With Rizwan playing alongside him, it looked as if the hosts will set a respectable score on the board. But all hopes were dashed when Shafique tried to pull off a reckless shot against Shakib Al Hasan and failed.
Basit didn’t hold back while criticising the Pakistan opener and pinpointed Shafique’s wicket as the reason behind the team’s loss.
“If I was in the dressing room, I would have told Abdullah Shafique to pack his bags and leave. His shot was the reason Pakistan lost the match. After hitting 37, you are giving away your wicket with such a shot. Shan Masood should punish Shafique. This is Pakistan’s team, not your local team. They played the wrong combination,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
Shafique wasn’t the only one who gave away his wicket cheaply as Naseem Shah was yet another one who tried to go for glory but rather ended up giving his wicket away cheaply.
“Look at the way Naseem Shah gave away his wicket. This is Pakistan cricket, not street cricket, this happens in England’s league cricket,” Basit added.
Basit believes Pakistan’s Test coach, Jason Gillespie, fell short in perceiving the nature of the pitch.
“Both Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie lost their opening matches. They both made mistakes. Kirsten made a mistake in the Super Over against the US, and Jason made a mistake in reading the pitch,” Basit said.
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