Former Pakistan batter
The visitors faced a daunting target of 389 runs in their final innings but were bundled out for 194. Babar’s contribution was minimal, managing only six runs in the second innings after scoring eight in the first. The loss has drawn intense scrutiny from former players, with Basit questioning the captain's ability to perform when the team faces significant pressure.
Questioning the captain's impact
Speaking on the show The Game Plan, Basit compared the current skipper to legendary figures from Pakistan’s cricketing history, suggesting that true greatness is defined by delivering in challenging conditions rather than social media popularity. Basit pointedly remarked that while Babar maintains a massive following online, his impact on the field during critical moments has been lacking.
The criticism also focused on a notable drought in Babar's Test career. The captain has not registered a century in the format since December 2022, when he scored 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. Basit expressed frustration over the nature of Babar’s dismissal at Lord’s, where he was caught by Jordan Cox off the bowling of Jofra Archer after attempting to leave a short delivery.
Broader batting concerns
Basit extended his criticism to other members of the batting lineup, including Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. Although Shakeel provided the most significant resistance with a knock of 97 off 132 balls, he was dismissed while attempting an aggressive shot just three runs shy of a century. Basit expressed dissatisfaction with the shot selection, noting that Shakeel chose to attack despite having five fielders positioned for such an attempt.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan also faced backlash for his brief stay at the crease, where he scored only one run before being trapped lbw by Ollie Robinson. Basit questioned the tactical awareness shown by the senior players during the chase, comparing their approach to street cricket rather than the demands of a Test match.
The collapse was compounded by early wickets from Robinson, who dismissed Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique to leave Pakistan reeling at 14/3. Despite a partnership between Shakeel and Shan Masood, the momentum shifted back to England following a rain interruption. With Imam-ul-Haq sidelined due to a calf injury, the tail was quickly cleaned up by Josh Tongue. England’s bowlers dominated the match, with Robinson claiming eight wickets in total. The teams are now set to meet for the final Test at Edgbaston, starting September 9.
