PAK vs ENG: Former Pakistan cricketer takes a dig at Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dissatisfaction with the cautious batting approach exhibited by Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel in the first innings of the ongoing Test series opener against England at Multan. Despite playing on a batting-friendly pitch, Ali believes the trio failed to demonstrate the positive intent necessary for such conditions.

Shafique was the standout performer, scoring a solid century with 102 runs off 184 balls at the top of the order, while Shakeel contributed a commendable 82 runs from 177 deliveries. In contrast, Babar Azam struggled to make an impact, dismissed for just 30 runs.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali remarked, "Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel batted as if it was a very difficult pitch like what we get in Australia and England. They didn't play according to the pitch and were only concerned about taking their turns, which is wrong."

Ali highlighted the contrasting approach of skipper Shan Masood and Agha Salman, who embraced a more aggressive style of batting. Both players were instrumental in establishing Pakistan's strong total, with Masood scoring an impressive 151 runs and Salman finishing unbeaten on 104.

"Salman Ali Agha and Shan Masood were the only two guys who played according to the pitch. What's the point of scoring 30 runs from 70-80 balls or scoring a hundred in 180 balls on such a flat track? Shan Masood scored 151 runs in 177 balls, while Saud Shakeel scored 82 runs from 177 balls," Basit criticized. He noted that early scoring is often facilitated by an attacking field, referencing Zak Crawley’s success in doing so.

Ali suggested that Saud Shakeel should have seized the opportunity to be more aggressive against England’s spinners, as the field placements favored attacking strokes. "When Saud Shakeel was batting, England were bowling on one side. However, the mid-on and mid-off were inside the circle for spinners. He could have looked to clear those fielders," he added.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in this Test match, posting an impressive 556-run total in their first innings, setting a formidable challenge for the visiting England side. On the other hand, the Three Lions are showcasing their aggressive batting approach, amassing 232 runs for the loss of just two wickets before lunch on Day 3, with Joe Root and Ben Duckett contributing crucial runs to their total.