Basit Ali accused of slapping Mahmood Hamid on recent TV show

Former Pakistani player Basit Ali has been reportedly accused of slapping Mahmood Hamid on a recent TV show in Pakistan. It was alleged that Hamid had criticized Ali for some of the selection policy on public TV thereby leading the former to slap Mahmood Hamid.

While Basit Ali has played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan in what was a rather unlucky career that concluded in allegations of match-fixing, Mahmood Hamid has featured in just the one ODI against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Both players have been extremely successful in their domestic careers, something that was part of the reason they were selected in the respective teams.

In a video message, Hamid went on to state rather painfully that he should have presented his rebuttals on TV instead of getting physical with him. The duo crossed paths when Basit was coaching the SNGPL side in the Pakistan domestic circuit against the SSGC team. Basit however, has gone on to deny these statements.

“The SNGPL coach Basit Ali is a thug; he can criticize anyone, but when his own conduct is questioned, he can’t take it,” said a visibly upset Hamid.

Hamid however, went on to state that he did not retaliate to the physical abuse since he was an educated person and that there was a witness in the form of Attiquz Zaman. He also went on to add that he would take up this matter with PCB chairman Shahryar Khan.

“Attiquz Zaman is a witness that he raised his hand to me when the only thing I did was question his selection criteria,” he added. “I did not retaliate because I am an educated person, but I will take up this matter with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and I will also ask him why he has appointed a person who has a tainted past and can’t handle criticism.”