Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has raised serious questions over the inclusion of Shadab Khan in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia. Basit Ali criticised the Pakistan cricket selection process and claimed that merit was being ignored in favour of personal preferences.
The former batter said Pakistan cricket has continued to struggle because of weak grassroots and domestic cricket structures. According to Basit Ali, Under-19 cricket should serve as the primary development platform for young cricketers, but Pakistan lacks a proper long-format youth system compared to leading cricket nations.
Basit Ali also criticised domestic cricket management and accused officials of interfering in matters beyond their responsibilities. He stated that some decision-makers are directly influencing player selection and fitness-related decisions, which he believes is negatively affecting the quality and professionalism of Pakistan cricket.
Referring to Pakistan’s ODI squad changes, Basit Ali questioned why wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was dropped while Shadab Khan was recalled despite not playing ODI cricket regularly for a long time. He claimed that Shadab’s selection appeared to be based mainly on his performances in the Pakistan Super League rather than consistent performances in domestic or international ODI cricket.
The former cricketer further alleged that several deserving players are being ignored despite strong performances, while certain players continue to receive opportunities without maintaining consistent form. His remarks have sparked fresh debate among cricket fans regarding transparency and fairness in Pakistan cricket team selections.
The discussion gained additional attention because Basit Ali made these comments in the presence of former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who is also Shadab Khan’s father-in-law. The moment quickly became a talking point on social media, with many fans discussing the ongoing issues related to team selection and cricket management in Pakistan.
Pakistan cricket supporters have frequently criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board over inconsistent selection policies, especially ahead of important international tours and tournaments. The latest controversy surrounding Shadab Khan’s ODI selection has once again highlighted concerns over merit, domestic performances, and long-term planning within Pakistan cricket.
