Former Pakistan Cricketer Basit Ali Criticizes Mohammad Amir Over Abhishek Sharma Remarks
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticized ex-Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir for his remarks about India's young opener Abhishek Sharma following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The controversy stems from Amir's earlier criticism of Sharma during the tournament, which Ali has now labeled as disappointing and premature.
Abhishek Sharma's Remarkable Comeback in the Final
Abhishek Sharma, who faced heavy criticism for his poor form earlier in the tournament, made a stunning comeback in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team. The left-handed opener smashed a crucial half-century, providing the India national cricket team with a blazing start that laid the foundation for their victory. India went on to defeat New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, clinching their third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title after earlier triumphs in 2007 and 2024.
Sharma's Difficult Start and Amir's Criticism
The road to the final was far from smooth for Abhishek Sharma. He endured a difficult start to the tournament, registering three consecutive ducks at the beginning of the campaign. During this lean phase, Mohammad Amir criticized the youngster and labeled him a "slogger." However, this criticism proved premature as India lost only one match in the tournament, with Sharma playing a key role in the final.
Basit Ali's Defense of Abhishek Sharma
Basit Ali expressed his disappointment over the harsh criticism directed at the young batter. Speaking on a TV show on ARY News, Ali emphasized Sharma's class and resilience. "Even if he has scored three ducks, form is temporary, but class is permanent. When people start giving such a classy player names, it honestly feels disappointing to me. The kind of names being thrown around… I just wish we had two or three players like him in our country as well," Ali stated.
Abhishek Sharma's Reflections on His Journey
After India's title-winning victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Abhishek Sharma spoke about the difficult phase he experienced during the tournament and the unwavering support he received from the team management. "I mean, of course, but the one thing was very clear… the coach and the captain, they had the faith in me. And even I was doubting myself because it was not an easy tournament for me. I've never experienced this before, but still playing the first World Cup," he said while speaking to the broadcasters after the final.
The young opener added that the confidence shown by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir played a significant role in helping him stay focused despite his struggles. "Everyone was so, so much into me that you're going to win one game, one big game, one big game. So I was just doing my process, but it wasn't that easy as a young player… going through this phase."
Team Support and Emotional Gratitude
Abhishek Sharma also spoke emotionally about the support he received from his teammates throughout the competition. "I think I just love this team, the way they treated me in those days. It was… I've never felt it before." This camaraderie and encouragement were pivotal in his ability to overcome early setbacks and deliver a match-winning performance in the final.
The incident highlights the pressures faced by young athletes in international cricket and the importance of constructive criticism. Basit Ali's comments underscore the value of recognizing talent and potential, even during temporary dips in form, as demonstrated by Abhishek Sharma's triumphant resurgence on the world stage.
