Former Pakistan cricketer and coach Basit Ali has come hard at the team for their pathetic display against an inexperienced New Zealand side in the first ODI in Napier. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side were cruising at one stage, but in a brain fade moment, they lost their last seven wickets for just 22 runs, to lose the game by a considerable margin of 73 runs. Babar Azam, who was anchoring the run chase of 345 to perfection, fell for (78) runs, and from there on Pakistan lost the plot dramatically.
This is not the first time that the Men in Green have collapsed like a pack of cards from a winning position. Pakistan has botched a lot of run chases. However, Basit Ali is baffled by the Pakistan management's decision to send Babar at number three after he was used as an opener during the Champions Trophy.
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"Why did Babar play at number three? He came to open in the Champions Trophy. Where are those professors who said he should open? They should apologize to the nation. Nobody will come out now. Those who try to become cricket professors should be hit with boots," Basit said on his YouTube channel.
Basit Ali blames Pakistan management for turning Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan into openers
Basit also identified the key reason behind Pakistan's drastic decline over the past three years. The former cricketer did not reveal anyone's name but hinted that the person responsible for Pakistan's current condition is the one who asked Babar and Rizwan to be openers in the shortest format of the game.
"The person who made Babar and Rizwan openers is responsible for destroying Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan team has become a franchise team. It is a team based on preferences," he added.
Also Read: NZ vs PAK 1st ODI: Mark Chapman’s Century Secures Convincing Win for New Zealand Over Pakistan
Pakistan have one more shot at keeping the three-match ODI series alive after losing the first game. If Mohammad Rizwan-led side beat the Kiwis in the second game on Wednesday in Hamilton, then they will carry that momentum in the third ODI and aim for an away ODI series win.
