Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has taken a strong dig at the national cricket team and the country’s economic condition ahead of their crucial Champions Trophy match against India. Pakistan is set to face their long-time rivals at the International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali sarcastically remarked that due to the rising inflation in Pakistan, fans would no longer be able to smash their television sets in frustration. Instead, they would only voice their displeasure.
Pakistan Beating India Would Be a Major Upset
Basit Ali acknowledged that India is the clear favorite for the match, stating that if Pakistan manages to pull off a victory, it would be considered a major upset. He expressed concern over Pakistan’s declining cricket standards, calling the current situation one of the worst in the country’s cricketing history.
Additionally, he questioned the team selection and strategies, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the No. 3 batting position. He speculated that Usman Khan might open with Imam-ul-Haq while Babar Azam could move to No. 3. He also pointed out that with Fakhar Zaman unavailable, the top five batters in the lineup have similar playing styles. He likened Pakistan’s batting approach to a car stuck in third gear, unable to accelerate in the final overs.
Criticism of PCB’s Priorities
Pakistan, the defending champions, suffered a heavy defeat against New Zealand in their opening match, losing by 60 runs in Karachi. Meanwhile, India secured a comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh. Basit Ali advised Pakistan to focus on playing smart cricket with both skill and strategy rather than just making bold claims.
Furthermore, he criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for prioritizing stadium renovations over team development. He argued that the money spent on upgrading venues could have been better utilized in building a strong squad. According to him, creating a competitive team requires intelligence, vision, and a proper understanding of player potential—areas where Pakistan has been lacking.
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