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<\/p>\nFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali slammed the Salman Ali Agha-led team after their exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 without reaching the semifinals. The cricketer-turned-expert called it Mike Hesson\u2019s team, blaming the head coach for fielding a franchise-style side for the Pakistan national cricket team.<\/p>\n
Pakistan missed out on a semifinal spot in the T20 World Cup 2026 due to net run rate (NRR). They defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in their final Super 8 match in Pallekele on Saturday, February 28. The Men in Green finished third in Group 2, behind New Zealand, as the narrow win was not enough for them.<\/p>\n
They Wouldn\u2019t Have Been Eliminated From the Semis – Basit Ali<\/p>\n
Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added a 176-run partnership for the first wicket, which put Pakistan in a strong position to improve their net run rate. However, the team lost eight wickets while adding only 49 runs in the final five overs.<\/p>\n
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali lamented the middle order for its disappointing performance. He said that if they had added more runs, the semifinal spot would have been theirs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Pakistan had scored 65 runs instead of 36 in those final overs, they wouldn\u2019t have been eliminated from the semis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike Hesson Openly Said That Babar Lacks Intent in the Powerplay – Basit Ali<\/p>\n
Basit Ali questioned why Babar Azam was picked if the head coach felt he lacked intent and had a low strike rate in the powerplay. He also raised questions about Babar\u2019s batting position.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe openly said that Babar lacks intent in the powerplay and his strike rate is so low,\u201d Basit said. \u201cIf he\u2019s not suitable after 10 slow overs, then why was he selected in the team? Who picked him, and who\u2019s going to hold the head coach accountable?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve said this on TV before \u2014 don\u2019t bat Babar at number four, that spot just doesn\u2019t suit him. You can\u2019t even make that sacrifice \u2014 that the guy should come in at number three and score runs. So your intentions weren\u2019t right.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further stated that Usman Khan was pushed down the order after scoring 44 runs off around 20 balls against India. Basit said that Usman was not backed by the team management and was never a preferred option.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just not a favourite, honestly,\u201d Basit said, with the matter-of-fact tone of someone who has watched this particular pattern repeat itself too many times to be surprised by it. \u201cThe truth is, he\u2019s not favoured.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t Call It Pakistan\u2019s Team, Call It Mike Hesson\u2019s Team – Basit Ali<\/p>\n
Basit Ali called leaving out Abrar Ahmed a repeated mistake throughout the tournament. He also took aim at former Pakistan players working as television experts, questioning why some of them were openly backing Shadab Khan as a future captain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe England match we lost \u2014 Abrar wasn\u2019t there. Today, Usman Tariq got hammered, but Abrar needed to be there,\u201d he said. \u201cThese are the things I never forget. When it comes to cricket, it\u2019s my habit to make detailed notes \u2014 if I showed you, it\u2019d fill pages.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously \u2014 have some shame and give some real advice for the country,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve represented this country. Is this what we get?\u201d<\/p>\n
He then accused the team management of running Pakistan cricket like a franchise setup, claiming the side looked more like a club team than a national one. Basit urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to bring in experienced people and focus on long-term improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Pakistan team seemed more like a franchise cricket team to me. Whenever the coach interferes in picking the team, this is exactly what happens. Don\u2019t call it Pakistan\u2019s team. Call it Mike Hesson\u2019s team.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChairman, surgery is needed. Bring in good people. Keep good advisors. Your cricket won\u2019t improve in a year. Bring in people who have good service records, who understand cricket, and who can take your cricket forward at the junior level, step by step. If your system gets strong, cricket will get better \u2014 otherwise, it won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n