Former Cricketer Basit Ali Criticizes Sahibzada Farhan's Controversial Choice

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has voiced his disappointment over Sahibzada Farhan's choice of Ahmed Shehzad as a favorite batsman in a viral video. This selection, made during a rapid-fire session, has sparked outrage among cricket fans and former players alike. Ali questions Farhan's judgment, suggesting he should have chosen legends like Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag instead. The incident has reignited discussions about Farhan's previous controversies, including a gunfire celebration during the Asia Cup. Read on to discover more about this unfolding cricket drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 21:52 IST

Basit Ali Expresses Disappointment Over Viral Video

On Thursday, Basit Ali, a former cricketer from Pakistan, openly expressed his discontent and embarrassment regarding a viral video featuring national team batsman Sahibzada Farhan. The clip, which has gained significant traction on social media, shows Farhan selecting his favorite batsmen during a rapid-fire session.

In the video, Farhan was asked to choose a batsman from a list that included legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Pakistan's own Saeed Anwar. To the surprise of many, he opted for former Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, a choice that did not sit well with former players.

It's important to note that Ahmed Shehzad's international career has been average, with nearly 5,000 runs across 153 matches in all formats. In contrast, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are celebrated as two of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, having been part of multiple ICC trophy-winning teams.

Reacting to the video on a YouTube channel, Basit Ali, with hands clasped, remarked that the video seemed insincere. He questioned how Farhan could choose Ahmed Shehzad over Sachin Tendulkar, suggesting that Farhan must have been out of his mind at that moment. He also mentioned that he would personally meet Farhan to inquire about his state of mind during the interview, and he extended an apology on behalf of himself and Kamran Akmal for the statement.

In the same video, former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also chimed in with a light-hearted response, stating that as an international cricketer, Farhan should have shown more wisdom in his answer. While it's acceptable to have role models, claiming someone is better than Sachin Tendulkar or Saeed Anwar is unjustifiable.

It's worth mentioning that Sahibzada Farhan has previously been a controversial figure in India. After scoring a half-century against India in the 2025 Asia Cup, his gunfire celebration sparked significant controversy, leading the BCCI to file a formal complaint with the ICC. However, Farhan was only given a warning and faced no financial penalties.