"The target was always Shaheen Afridi" - Basit Ali on Pakistan resting 3 top players for remainder of England Test series
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali believes the team management wanted to target pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi ahead of the ongoing three-match home Test series against England. He feels this was the reason why a flat pitch was prepared for the Test series opener in Multan.
Basit's comments came after Pakistan's new selection committee rested Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Babar Azam for the remaining two Tests of the series. He reckoned that the fast bowler was made the scapegoat because of his relationship with father-in-law and former captain Shahid Afridi.
Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 1:55):
"A batting pitch was made for their own benefit. It was Babar' bad luck that he was out of form and got out on such a pitch. However, the target was always Shaheen Afridi. It was because of Shahid Afridi."
Basit also gave a piece of advice to Shahid Afridi, urging him to not trust everyone blindly, adding (from 2:18):
"I want to give a message to Shahid Afridi that he needs to identify his friends and enemies. Not everyone who speaks with a smile is not your friend. You are not thinking about how subtly these guys work. Because you are a devotee of Allah, there's nothing to fear."
The pitch at Multan was a batting paradise. Pakistan registered a 556-run total in the first innings. In response, England recorded the fourth-highest total in Test history, declaring at 823/7.
The visitors ultimately won the match by an innings and 47 runs. Shaheen finished with figures of 26-1-120-1.
"All the three players should have remained with the team" - Basit Ali on Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Babar Azam
Basit Ali also suggested that Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Babar Azam should have remained with the squad even if they were rested. He mentioned that it made no sense to make them return home when no domestic matches were happening.
Asking the fans to raise their voice against the decision, Basit said in the same video (from 5:05):
"I will see what Babar Azam's fans do now. They used to make a lot of noise. Come out, raise your voice, they have done wrong. All the three players should have remained with the team. How come you are sending them back when there are no first-class or domestic matches happening?"
The second Test between Pakistan and England will also be played in Multan. The game kicks off on Tuesday, October 15.