(Source X)
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized various cricket boards, including the BCCI, for Team India’s reluctance to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025.
The tournament presents a significant opportunity for the PCB to demonstrate their capability to host international teams regularly and to bolster their financial standing. However, the absence of India, a major draw in global cricket, could deal a significant blow to these aspirations.
Given the longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan, India’s decision not to visit Pakistan since 2008 casts doubt on their participation next year as well.
Basit Ali criticizes cricket boards.
Amidst anticipation over India’s definitive stance, Basit Ali expressed his frustrations unabashedly. Addressing his audience on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer didn’t hold back. Alongside critiquing Jay Shah, he also leveled accusations at fellow cricket boards, insinuating they were mere followers of BCCI’s directives, likening them to obedient dogs that would unquestioningly wag their tails at Shah’s commands.
“5-6 boards jo haina dum hilate huye woh baat karenge jo Jay Shah bolenge (Those 5-6 boards will wag their tails and do whatever Jay Shah tells them to.),” said Basit Ali.
“If he says the Champions Trophy will be in Pakistan, they’ll agree. If he says it’ll be a hybrid model, they’ll go with that too. It’s because when their players play in the IPL, BCCI pays their boards a huge amount whether it’s the English board, New Zealand board, West Indies board, or Australian board,” he added.
Expanding on his criticism, Basit Ali also directed his ire towards PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. According to the former cricketer, Naqvi’s reluctance to take a strong stance on the issue stems from being enticed with the promise of a bilateral series against India at a neutral venue, which Ali metaphorically described as a ‘lollipop’. He strongly advised the PCB against accepting such an offer, emphasizing the need for a firmer stance.
“PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been given a lollipop. Basically, he’s been told (by other boards) that after the Champions Trophy, we (Pakistan) should play a bilateral series against India. Whether it’s in Australia or England, they’ll (other boards) convince India to play.
“I think that if the bilateral series isn’t happening in India or Pakistan, the Pakistan board should say no to playing in a third country. If India are not willing to play in our country, then we shouldn’t agree to play the series in another country either,” said Ali.
