Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has lashed out saying that opener Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel batted as if the Multan track was very difficult like the ones in Australia or England. He added that these three batters didn't show enough intent even though the pitch has been a belter. Notably, Agha Salman's knock was full of intent, as he struck at 80-plus.

Shafique notched up a century, scoring 102 runs off 184 balls at a strike rate of 55.43. Babar scored 30 off 71 deliveries, at a strike rate of 42.25. Shakeel scored 82 off 177 balls, at a strike rate of 46.33, which didn't go down well with Basit Ali.

Intent has been a big topic of discussion these days in Tests and if any batter plays way too defensively than necessary, he is met with quite some criticism.

"Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel batted as if it was a very difficult pitch like what we get in Australia and England. They didn't play according to the pitch and were only concerned about taking their turns, which is wrong," Basit Ali said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Basit Ali said that skipper Shan Masood and Agha Salman played as per the track, looking to attack the bowlers. The former scored 151 off 177 deliveries at a strike rate of 85.31, while Salman remained unbeaten on 104 off 119 balls, scoring at 87.39.

"Salman Ali Agha and Shan Masood were the only two guys who played according to the pitch. What's the point of scoring 30 runs from 70-80 balls or scoring a hundred in 180 balls on such a flat track? Shan Masood scored 151 runs in 177 balls, while Saud Shakeel scored 82 runs from 177 balls," Basit Ali said.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 556, with Jack Leach picking three wickets, that of Masood, Mohammad Rizwan for a duck and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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