"Please add a match referee too": Basit Ali hilariously slams PCB as Aleem Dar becomes selector

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has taken a dig at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appointing the former international umpire Aleem Dar to the revamped selection committee. Basit even slammed Shan Masood for his captaincy in the first Test against England.

Aleem Dar was named in PCB selection committee just after Pakistan's embarrassing defeat to England in the first Test at Multan. Along with him, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali were also named as the new members of the committee.

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Basit Ali slams PCB for naming Aleem Dar

While speaking on the PCB's decision to appoint Aleem Dar in the panel, Basit Ali expressed surprise and even claimed that he does not deserve to be in this position. In a sarcastic way, he suggested the board to add a match referee as well.

"This is an absolutely surprising decision. It is surprising to me that Aleem Dar has been added to the selection committee. He was a great umpire and is a very good human but he doesn't deserve to be there," Basit reckoned.

"Not now, but in the coming days, voices will be raised. If you have kept an umpire in the selection committee, then please add a match referee too along with one person from the media," he said on his YouTube channel.

Aleem Dar's umpiring career

Aleem Dar has officiated in 448 internationals but has already retired from international cricket. However, he is still officiating as an umpire in domestic cricket and will permanently retire from the role after the 2024-25 domestic season in Pakistan.

It was a huge surprise to see Aleem Dar in the selection committee. The new members joined Asad Shafiq, captain Shan Masood, head coach Jason Gillespie, and the analyst Hassan Cheema. All these members will have their vote while on the team selection.

Basit Ali speaks on Shan Masood's captaincy

Basit Ali also slammed Pakistan captain Shan Masood after the team lost to England by an innings and 47 runs. He claimed that Shan Masood got secured after his hundred in the first innings but that did not help the team's cause. He even claimed that scoring runs on Multan's pitch was not a difficult job.

"You became secure after the first innings, thinking that you have confirmed your place. Even I can score runs on such a pitch, and that too without a helmet. Just admit that your captaincy was bad. You don't deserve to be the captain," Basit stated.

Shan Masood scored a fiery 151 off 177 balls in the first innings and was among the three centurions for Pakistan in the innings. Pakistan scored 556 in their first innings but England fought back and slammed 823-7 on the board.

Joe Root scored a double hundred while Harry Brook slammed a triple hundred for England. In reply, the home team was dismissed for just 220 runs in their second innings and thus, lost the game by an innings and 47 runs.