Azhar Mahmood gets beaten up verbally by Basit Ali in latest rant on Pakistan cricket

Pakistan's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood found himself at the center of a controversy during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh being underway at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Actually, the former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has publicly expressed his anger at Mahmood for his unconventional yet disrespectful appearance at the press conference in Rawalpindi.

Azhar Mahmood's backward cap gesture at Rawalpindi Test sparks criticism from Basit Ali

Mahmood, the former Pakistani all-rounder, was seen wearing his cap backward during the media interaction at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a gesture that did not sit well with Ali.

The incident sparked outrage among Pakistani fans and former players, with many, including the former national selector, questioning the respect shown towards the national emblem.

He emphasized the importance of honoring the symbol of Pakistan, especially by someone who has already sported the national colors at the highest level.

The former Pakistan coach has further insisted that Mahmood, who now holds a British passport, should have been more mindful of the cultural and national significance of the star on Pakistan's cap.

Please don't do such things: Basit Ali to Mahmood

Ali suggested that such behavior might be excusable if displayed by a foreign coach, but for a former Pakistani player to display such disregard was totally unacceptable. He also asked Azhar not to repeat this gesture in the future.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “Being a Pakistani, I did not like what Azhar Mahmood did. You have served Pakistan. I wouldn't have said anything had any Australian done something like this."

"You are wearing Pakistan's cap backward in the press conference; please don't do such things. Do you not like the star on Pakistan's cap? The country has given so much. You may have a British passport, but please don't repeat this.”

Azhar Mahmood surprised by Rawalpindi pitch behavior

Meanwhile, Mahmood expressed his surprise at how the Rawalpindi pitch played out, noting that it behaved in an unexpected manner.

Pakistan’s assistant coach has also backed the team management's decision to go with an all-pace bowling attack despite the unexpected conditions in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Mahmood said at the press conference: “The reason we didn't play a spinner was there was grass on the pitch, and we thought it would favor the seamers. We were hoping for that.

"But the three hours the pitch was sunny before the game started on the first day may have made a difference. The wicket dried out; we didn't think it would dry out so quickly, and that made it play differently.”

He signed off by saying, “Anyone who looked at the wicket would have thought it would be a seaming track. We can't do anything about the fact it didn't behave that way. We didn't make a mistake reading the pitch; it just didn't play like we thought it should.”

Notably, Mushfiqur Rahim’s remarkable knock of 191 runs to Bangladesh to 565 runs on the board in response to Pakistan’s 448/6d in the first innings in the opening game of the ongoing two-match Test series in Rawalpindi.

In the second innings, Pakistan already lost 2 wickets for just 28 runs on Day five of the first Test against Bangladesh.