Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali criticized the national cricket team after a crushing defeat against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting total of 221, Pakistan’s batting order collapsed under the pressure, getting bowled out for only 105 runs.
Pakistan team encountered early difficulties, losing their top three batters within just two overs. Openers Mohammad Haris (2), Hasan Nawaz (1), and skipper Salman Ali Agha (1) were dismissed in quick succession.
After this shaky start, the Pakistan team struggled to recover in their chase against New Zealand.
Their vice-captain, Shadab Khan, fell for a mere one run in the fourth over, leaving the team in deep trouble with a score of 26-4 after just 4.1 overs.
The Men in Green lost wickets regularly against a well-disciplined New Zealand bowling attack and were ultimately bowled out for a modest total in 16.2 overs.
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Following the loss, Basit Ali criticized the Pakistan team, indicating that the Men in Green should compete against lower-ranked teams if they wish to continue with this squad.
“Kids are not playing against us. If you want to keep this team, do it against Nepal or Ireland.”
“You are wasting time. Just like the domestic T20 tournament is a waste of time and money, this tour is just like that. It is better to play against Bangladesh, ” he said.
After losing the first two T20Is, Pakistan bounced back in the third match, thanks to an unbeaten century by Hasan Nawaz.
However, in the fourth T20I, the Pakistan team was thoroughly outplayed in every department of the game, eventually losing by a margin of 115 runs, their highest in the shorter format.
With New Zealand taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, the final T20I in Wellington on Wednesday is now merely a formality.
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