After a defeat in the tournament opener, Pakistan’s hopes of progressing in the Champions Trophy hinge heavily on their next group match against traditional rivals India in Dubai on Sunday, which former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali views as heavily loaded in favour of India.
New Zealand outclassed defending champions and hosts Pakistan by 60 runs in the first match of the tournament at Karachi, while India beat Bangladesh by six wickets in Dubai.
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Talking about Pakistan’s chances and their must-win situation, Basit said it will be a big upset if Pakistan get the better of India.
“It is a ‘final’ for Pakistan,” the former batter said on his YouTube channel. “India are heavy favourites. If Pakistan win, it will be an upset in my view because Pakistan’s cricket has gone down, hit a low.
“Agar one-sided hota hai, toh ab TV bhi nahi tootenge kyuki Pakistan mei mehangai boht zyada hai. Ab zabaan se hi har cheez hogi (if Pakistan lose one-sided, now fans wont’ break TV sets because of the country’s economic situation; now there will be only voiced opinions).”
The hosts suffered a blow after the defeat against the Kiwis, losing their attacking batter Fakhar Zaman to injury, which led to Imam-ul-Haq coming in as replacement
“Who will bat at No. 3, nobody knows. They might ask Usman Khan to open with Imam and bring Babar (Azam) at No. 3. Something needs to be done,” Basit added, talking about the team’s dire state.
Babar has been opening since the ODI tri-series at home ahead of the Champions Trophy and was criticised for his laborious 64 off 90 balls in the first match of the Champions Trophy despite a target of 321 to chase.
“Fakhar Zaman is out. Now Pakistan’s batting line-up from number one to five is similar and there is no scope to swap positions. It’s true. If their car is running in third gear, then it will stay in third gear. It won’t be able to switch to turbo, maybe in the last 5 or 10 overs, maybe,” said Basit.
India, meanwhile, put up an all-round show against Bangladesh to start their campaign on a rousing note, with Mohammed Shami shining with a five-wicket spell (5 for 53) and opener Shubman Gill scoring an unbeaten century (101*).
Basit said India will continue to play normal cricket and take it like just another match, while the mentality in Pakistan is still to beat India at any cost.
“Baaton ki cricket ab nahi hone chahiye, ab bat se, dimag se (Pakistan now need to make their bats talk, use their brain),” he said.
Captain Rohit Sharma, who scored a century during the ODI series at home against England to return to form, looked good in his 36-ball 41 against Bangladesh, while Virat Kohli had to struggle for his 22, which came off 38 balls.
“Virat intezar karta hai Pakistan ke match ka (Virat waits for the match against Pakistan),” said Basit, predicting that the batting legend may play a big knock in the pressure match.
He concluded by criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board for the money it spent in refurbishing the three stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
He said the board should instead have applied its mind in building a team.
“The amount of money they spent in building the stadiums, they could have built a good team in half that amount. But to build a team you need intelligence. What is your vision? What’s your thinking? How do you view a player’s talent and longevity? These things matter.”
As things stand at the moment in Group A, New Zealand are on top with two points, with India at No.2 because the Kiwis have a better net run-rate (NRR) of +1.200 compared to India’s +0.408.
Bangladesh are ahead of bottom-placed Pakistan. Both the teams are without any points, while Bangladesh’s NRR of -0.408 is better than Pakistan’s -1.200.