Basit Ali backs Mohammad Rizwan to be the next Pakistan captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has recently voiced his support for Mohammad Rizwan to be appointed as the captain of Pakistan's Test team. Ali believes that Rizwan’s leadership could significantly enhance Pakistan's chances of defeating England in their upcoming Test series. According to Ali, Rizwan's experience and on-field performance make him a strong candidate for the role, which could be pivotal in shaping Pakistan's strategy and success against a formidable English side. This recommendation comes at a time when Pakistan has undergone a leadership change in their Test team. Shan Masood has recently been named the new Test captain, succeeding Babar Azam. Azam stepped down from the captaincy across all formats following Pakistan’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, leading to a reshuffling of leadership roles within the team.

Masood’s appointment as Test skipper marks a significant transition for Pakistan cricket, and the decision to place him in this role reflects the team's strategic shift. While Basit Ali advocates for Rizwan's leadership, it will be essential to observe how Masood's captaincy unfolds and how it impacts Pakistan’s performance in the upcoming Test series against England. The team's leadership dynamics and their impact on match outcomes will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

Since Shan Masood took over as Pakistan's Test captain, his leadership has yet to yield a victory, with Pakistan losing all five matches under his captaincy. In light of these results, Basit Ali has suggested that Mohammad Rizwan should replace Masood as captain. Ali believes that Rizwan’s experience and leadership qualities could turn the team’s fortunes around and improve their performance in crucial upcoming series.

Additionally, Basit Ali commented on the form of England’s star batter, Joe Root, highlighting Root’s consistent success against Sri Lanka. Ali noted that Root has frequently excelled in matches against Sri Lanka, making him a significant threat. He warned that if Root manages to score a century in the upcoming games, Pakistan’s bowlers will face considerable challenges. Ali’s insights underscore the importance of strategic planning and leadership in addressing tough opponents and navigating the complexities of international cricket.

"Pakistan will win the Test series against England if Mohammad Rizwan is made the captain. You will see a different Babar Azam in the England series, but the condition is that the captain should be Rizwan,” Basit Ali said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"Joe Root has always performed against Sri Lanka. The English media have been saying that Root will break Sachin Tendulkar's record. He won't break that record. If he scores a century against Pakistan, I won't spare the bowlers. Tendulkar's stature is different, he was a very big player,” he added.