Basit Ali Calls for Pakistan to Model Its Domestic System on India's for Test Cricket Improvement

New Delhi: Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has advocated for Pakistan to adopt India’s domestic cricket framework to boost their performance in Test matches. His call for change comes after Pakistan’s significant 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This loss was notably historic, marking Bangladesh’s first-ever Test victory over Pakistan.

The defeat has ignited widespread criticism of Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure, with many questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) effectiveness in nurturing new talent. In light of this, Basit Ali has voiced his concerns and suggested that Pakistan’s cricketing priorities are misguided. He highlighted the upcoming Champions Cup, a One-Day tournament set to follow the Test series against Bangladesh, as an example of this misalignment.

Ali criticized Pakistan for trying to emulate the domestic systems of England, Australia, and New Zealand, which have not yielded the desired results. He recommended that Pakistan look to its neighboring country, India, and draw lessons from their successful approach. “Pakistan has followed the domestic systems of England, Australia, and New Zealand. Since India is right next to us, we should also adopt their system. Effective copying requires intelligence, and we should replicate what India is doing,” Ali remarked on his YouTube channel.

Ali also praised India for its focus on building a strong foundation through tournaments like the Duleep Trophy, a four-day competition aimed at nurturing red-ball cricket talent. He believes that this emphasis on foundational strength is a key factor behind India’s success in Test cricket.