India and Pakistan’s cricket journeys seem to be heading in opposite directions at the moment. After India’s heartbreaking loss at the 2023 50-over World Cup, they bounced back in spectacular fashion, clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup. In contrast, Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes have been grim, with disappointing performances in recent global tournaments.
Adding to their woes, Pakistan is on the brink of a heavy defeat against England in the first Test of their three-match series, following a humiliating loss at home to Bangladesh. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali recently voiced his concerns about Pakistan’s management, highlighting the mental approach as a key factor in their struggles.
“The thought process is very important, and that is missing in Pakistan cricket,” Basit Ali said during a discussion on his YouTube channel. He contrasted Pakistan’s approach with India’s, pointing out that India rested players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Pakistan fails to give their players proper breaks. “Please learn something from India,” he urged.
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Basit Ali also praised India’s young talents, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh, for their outstanding performances in the second T20I against Bangladesh. He admired Gautam Gambhir’s philosophy of backing young players, a strategy that Pakistan has been lacking.
“The kind of sixes Nitish hit should be called athhe (powerful shots) and not sixes. And Rinku Singh is like Michael Bevan,” he commented, highlighting the value of strong player development. Basit Ali further emphasized that even if these players fail, Gambhir’s unwavering support ensures their growth.
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A major issue in Pakistan cricket, Basit Ali pointed out, is the failure to manage their pacers properly, with some playing across all formats without sufficient rest. In addition, the constant chopping and changing of both players and management has only exacerbated the instability within the team. This lack of consistency continues to plague Pakistan cricket, in stark contrast to India’s more calculated and thoughtful approach.
