‘Third-Class Performance’: Basit Ali Criticizes Shan Masood Following Pakistan’s Test Whitewash

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticized captain Shan Masood following Pakistan’s series loss to Bangladesh on home soil. After their first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets, Pakistan faced another setback with a six-wicket loss in the second and final Test at the same venue, resulting in a series whitewash.

Pakistan initially had control of the game in the first innings, reducing Bangladesh to 26/6. However, a remarkable 165-run partnership between Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz turned the tide in favor of the visitors. Litton scored a brilliant 138, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to hit two Test centuries against Pakistan, while Mehidy contributed a composed 78. Bangladesh’s total of 262 proved to be a decisive factor in the match.

Basit Ali criticized Masood’s captaincy, claiming that it played a significant role in allowing Litton and Mehidy to build their partnership. Describing Pakistan’s performance in the second Test as “third-class,” Basit even suggested that Masood’s leadership was a key reason for the team’s loss.

“It was a third-class performance. Pakistan lost the Test match due to captaincy. Captaincy played a key role in the way Litton Das and Mehidy performed after 26/6. There is no need for surgery. The Pakistan team has done surgery on themselves. Mohsin Naqvi should think about this. In the past six months, Pakistan has lost two big events,” Basit, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, stated on his YouTube channel.

Shan Masood’s Struggles as Captain

Since Shan Masood took over as Pakistan’s Test captain from Babar Azam late last year, the team has struggled, failing to win a single match. Under Masood’s leadership, Pakistan has lost all five Test matches, including three in Australia where they were comprehensively defeated.

In Australia, Pakistan lost by 360 runs in Perth, suffered a 79-run defeat in Melbourne, and were beaten by 8 wickets in Sydney.

However, the losses to Bangladesh have been particularly painful. Masood’s own performance with the bat has also been underwhelming, with just three half-centuries in 10 innings, averaging 28 in the five Tests he has captained.