'Just copy what India is doing': Former Pakistan cricketer urges PCB to build a solid foundation for national team

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 29, 2024, 12:00 IST

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Basit Ali, a former cricketer, calls on the Pakistan Cricket Board to focus on red-ball cricket to improve the national team's performance. He criticizes the board's strategy of mirroring systems from other countries and recommends following India's model, which uses red-ball tournaments like the Duleep Trophy to build a solid foundation.

'Just copy what India is doing': Former Pakistan cricketer urges PCB to build a solid foundation for national team

Pakistan cricket team (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to prioritize red-ball cricket to build a more solid foundation for the national team. This call for change comes after Pakistan's series of disappointing performances, highlighted by a 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi.
Ali criticized the PCB's decision to hold a One-Day Champions Cup following the Test series, suggesting a shift in strategy to improve players' skills and strengthen the cricketing base in Pakistan.
Ali pointed out that the current strategy of emulating the cricketing systems of Australia, New Zealand, and England is not effective for Pakistan. Instead, he recommended adopting practices from their neighbors, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"There will be a One-Day tournament called the Champions Cup after the Test series. Pakistan has copied the systems of England, Australia, and New Zealand. India is right next to us; please copy their system too. You need intelligence in copying as well. Just copy what India is doing," Ali stated on his YouTube channel.

He further emphasized the importance of red-ball cricket by highlighting India's Duleep Trophy, a four-day tournament designed to strengthen its players' foundations.
"The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It’s a four-day tournament. They focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful," Ali added.
Basit Ali's comments underline the crucial role of Test cricket in achieving long-term success. His call to reform suggests that Pakistan should nurture red-ball talent by adopting a model similar to the BCCI, which has proven to be successful for Indian cricket in recent years.

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TOI Sports Desk

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