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'Act like a leader': Basit Ali slams injured Babar Azam for missing 1st Test vs England, urges captain to be brave originally appeared on Cricket News .
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Basit Ali criticised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for missing the Headingley Test due to a finger injury.
Pakistan suffered a heavy innings-and-103-run defeat to England , losing the match well before tea on day three.
Babar's injury status remains uncertain, with Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed hopeful he'll recover for the second Test at Lord's.
'Act like a leader': Basit Ali tears into Pakistan captain Babar Azam over Headingley Test absence
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali hasn't held back in criticising captain Babar Azam for sitting out the opening Test against England, and called on the skipper to show more courage and lead from the front rather than stepping aside during a crisis.
Babar's absence stemmed from an injury to his right-hand finger, which he sustained during Pakistan's warm-up match in Beckenham. It's worth noting that this was the same hand that had already troubled him earlier this month during the second Test against West Indies.
Ahead of the match, Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed made the situation clear and said: "Pakistan captain Babar Azam is unavailable for the first Test match. Salman Agha will be the captain for the first Test."
While there was no fracture involved, discomfort remained a concern in the lead-up to the match. Sarfaraz explained that the medical staff were monitoring the injury closely, with hopes of Babar returning for the next fixture.
"The medical team is assessing Babar. He has quite a bit of pain in the finger," he said. "There are still a few days to go before the second Test. Hopefully, he will recover by then."
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Getty Images
Pakistan struggle against England without their captain Babar Azam
Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and then 135, and they suffered a heavy innings-and-103-run defeat with more than half a day still to spare before tea on day three.
England's bowling attack ran riot, with Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue combining for eight wickets apiece across the match.
Basit Ali didn't mince words when discussing the pattern of Babar sitting out matches due to injury, pointing to previous instances where similar situations had played out.
"Babar Azam didn't play. Look, the point is, the exact same thing happened with him in Bangladesh; he got injured. Six years ago, when they played a match at Headingley, the same issue occurred back then as well. Babar needs to show a bit more courage," he said.
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He went further, questioning the timing and decision-making around Babar's fitness calls, suggesting the captain should push through discomfort when cleared to play.
"It shouldn't be that once the medical panel declares Babar fit a day or two prior, he still chooses not to play. When you step up as a leader, you have to act like a leader as well."
With the series already slipping away after such a lopsided defeat, Pakistan now face a tough turnaround heading into the second Test at Lord's, which starts Thursday.
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🚨 BASIT ALI ON BABAR AZAM INJURY! "Babar Azam did not play. Look, the same thing happened in Bangladesh when he got injured previously, and 6 years ago at Headingley when this issue occurred." "Babar needs to become brave. It shouldn't be that once the medical panel declares… pic.twitter.com/4QqqLdkCiD
— M Farhan (@MFarhan1200) August 22, 2026 Basit Ali's criticism is harsh, but not entirely off the mark
There's something uncomfortable about openly questioning an injured player's courage, especially when a medical team has flagged serious concerns rather than a minor knock.
Injuries, particularly recurring ones on the same finger, carry a risk of worsening if rushed back too soon, and Babar sitting out on medical advice isn't a sign of weak leadership.
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That said, Basit Ali's broader frustration reflects a pattern Pakistan fans have noticed before, and repeated injuries at crucial moments do raise fair questions about fitness management and match-day toughness at the highest level.
Leadership isn't just about playing through pain regardless of medical advice, but it does involve showing up when the team needs stability most, especially after such a demoralising defeat. Pakistan's collapse without Babar suggests the squad still lacks the depth to cover for his absence, which puts even more pressure on him to return for the crucial second Test at Lord's.
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