Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali slammed Australian spinner Nathan Lyon for his 5-0 prediction for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The two teams will play five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22.

In a conversation on the Willow Talk Podcast, Lyon predicted a 5-0 series win for Australia against India at home. This is despite India having
defeated Australia in the last four bilateral Test series as well. However, Basit Ali slammed Lyon on his YouTube channel for his premature
prediction as well.

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“I will only say one thing about Nathan Lyon’s stupid statement that Australia will defeat India by six Tests (sarcastically), but only by words. In the past two series, India have dominated Australia. Such comments don’t suit cricketers. Ricky Ponting or former cricketers can make such statements. I request Ashwin to reply and say that India will defeat Australia 5-0,” said Basit Ali.

However, the two teams are also at the top of the current WTC points table and they will meet in the final again next year. Nathan Lyon asked their key Australian batters like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head to convert their centuries into bigger scores in the upcoming Test series against India.

“We need big runs. We need the guys, who are talented enough to get the hundred. The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all the top order. I don’t want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200,” said Lyon on the Willow Talk Podcast, as quoted by India Today. “It’s been 10 years since we have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I started thinking about this series when England were over in India, watching them to go about it. I love the game and I will watch a decent Test match but I have eyes on this series for a long time now.”