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Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has spoken out about the decision to host the Asia Cup 2025 in India, highlighting the strategic move by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah. Ali noted that Shah’s decision was not only a bold one but also strategically advantageous, achieving two objectives with a single move.
The Asia Cup 2025 is slated to be held in India and will be played in the T20 format, marking India’s first hosting of the tournament since 1990. This arrangement necessitates Pakistan’s team to once again travel to India for the tournament.
Conversely, the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan. However, uncertainty looms over the participation of the Indian team in this event. Reports suggest a potential hybrid model due to the BCCI’s reluctance to send the team to its neighboring nation.
As of now, there is no clear indication whether India will indeed travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board has firmly stated its stance on not relocating the tournament, whereas the BCCI’s silence on the matter may imply a lack of enthusiasm for the trip across the border.
In a candid video posted on his YouTube channel, former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali expressed his firm belief that Jay Shah ought to explore relocating the competition to another country. Ali suggested that India’s decision to host the tournament was akin to offering Pakistan a “lollipop,” potentially paving the way for a hybrid model to be adopted for both events.
Ali’s remarks underscored his concerns about the strategic implications of hosting the competition in India, implying broader implications for the future of cricketing events in the region.
“Well done, Jay Shah. You’ve killed two birds with one stone. You kill two birds with one stone, but Basit Ali kills three birds with one stone. Now let me give you some free advice. Try to shift the Asia Cup to some other country. Jay Shah could take a U-turn after my show.”
“Jay Shah knew that India would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy; otherwise, Pakistan won’t come for the Asia Cup. Pakistan won’t even go for the T20 World Cup if India says no for the Champions Trophy. To hell with the hybrid model. There could also be another lollipop of India adopting a hybrid model for the Asia Cup so that Pakistan do the same for the Champions Trophy.”
Jay Shah is very sharp – Basit Ali
Jay Shah’s astuteness has been acknowledged, though he faces a formidable counterpart in the PCB chairman. It has been conceded that the BCCI recognizes the challenge in securing a favorable outcome for the 2025 Champions Trophy decision.
“I agree Jay Shah is very sharp, but the guy in front of him, the current PCB chairman, is also in the same league. Now you will have to come forward openly and declare that the Asia Cup is in India, so we would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the three host cities for this prestigious tournament.
