Basit Ali Predicts Low Turnout for Bangladesh Series Due to Babar’s Exclusion

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has made a significant statement regarding the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The matches are slated to take place at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from May 28 to June 1.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed a 16-member squad on Wednesday for the series. Noticeably absent were several experienced players, including former captains Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Ali voiced concerns specifically over Babar’s omission. He suggested that the absence of the star batter would lead to reduced attendance during the Bangladesh series, especially since the matches are to be held at his home ground.

“Without Babar, there will be no crowd for the Bangladesh series. What will be the atmosphere in Lahore?” Ali posted on X.

Babar, who has captained Pakistan in three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups (2021, 2022, and 2024), last played in the T20I format for Pakistan in December of the previous year and has since been sidelined.

He was also not selected for the national side in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, which occurred in March of this year.

Notably, Babar has experienced a slump in form in the T20 format recently. He has not recorded a half-century since his 75-run innings against Ireland in the third T20I in May of last year.

To date, Babar has played in 128 T20Is for Pakistan, amassing 4223 runs at an average of 39.83, including three centuries and 36 half-centuries.

Pakistan’s T20I Squad Against Bangladesh:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), and Saim Ayub.