“Shadab Khan is Mike Hesson's laadla” - Basit Ali slams all-rounder after his remarks on former Pakistan cricketers

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has lashed out at the all-rounder Shadab Khan for slamming the former cricketers for questioning the senior players' spots in the national team after their poor performance against their arch-rivals India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

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Delving into the details, the former cricketers like Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf called for the axing of senior cricketers Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Shadab Khan from the XI against Namibia after Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India.

After his POTM performance against Namibia, Shadab, who attended the post-match press conference, took a dig at the former cricketers, stating that the former cricketers failed to win over India in a World Cup match in their careers, which the current group achieved in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

"Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan, and at the end of the day, they have also never defeated India in the World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup. In World Cups, we have beaten India only once. Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup," Shadab Khan told reporters.

Speaking exclusively to ARY News, Basit questioned Shadab Khan’s promotion in the batting order against a weak opposition like Namibia, adding that his place in the national side in influenced by his relationship with head coach Mike Hesson.

"Against weaker teams, he is promoted to bat in the top order. Why? Because he is Mike Hesson's laadla (favourite). Had it been Inzamam, Waqar or Saqlain in charge, I would have seen where he would bat. I remember taking the A team to England. The whole time, he was busy on his mobile phone. I ended up snatching both his phones," Basit told ARY News.

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