Basit Ali takes a brutal dig at Pakistan before IND vs PAK match; reminds fan of financial incapability

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made cheeky remarks on the Mohammad Rizwan-led team ahead of their must-win Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India. Basit Ali sarcastically stated that if Pakistan suffers a one-sided defeat, fans won’t smash their TV sets due to the high inflation in the country.

New Zealand defeated defending champions and hosts Pakistan by 60 runs in the tournament opener in Karachi. On the other hand, Team India secured a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai. India and Pakistan are set to face off in a highly anticipated Group A clash in Dubai on Sunday, February 23.

Agar One-Sided Hota Hai, Toh Ab TV Bhi Nahi Tootenge - Basit Ali

Basit Ali, who has played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, stated that fans will express frustrations only through words and no longer smash their TV sets due to the country's economic situation.

“Agar one-sided hota hai, toh ab TV bhi nahi tootenge kyunki Pakistan mei mehangai bahut zyada hai. Ab zabaan se hi har cheez hogi (If Pakistan loses one-sided against India, now the fans will not thrash their TV sets because of the country’s economic situation. Now there will be only voiced opinion,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

If Pakistan Manages to Beat India, It Will Be an Upset - Basit Ali

The cricketer-turned-expert said that India are the clear favorite for the upcoming clash in Dubai. He admitted that if Pakistan managed to defeat India, it would be considered a major upset.

“India are favourites. There is no doubt about that. In my opinion, if Pakistan manages to beat India, it will be an upset because our cricket has gone down and is at all-time low,” he said.

Pakistan have struggled against India in ICC tournaments, but they hold a slight 3-2 advantage in head-to-head encounters in the Champions Trophy. Their most recent clash in the tournament came in the 2017 final, where Pakistan secured their first-ever Champions Trophy title by defeating India.

Who Will Bat at No. 3? Nobody Knows - Basit Ali

Basit Ali criticized Pakistan's squad selection for the Champions Trophy. Ali questioned who would take the No. 3 spot. He added that Usman Khan might open alongside Imam-ul-Haq, with Babar Azam moving to No. 3. The former batter said that Pakistan's top five batters have a similar playing style.

“Who will bat at No. 3, nobody knows. They might ask Usman Khan to open with Imam and bring Babar Azam at No 3,” Basit said.

“Fakhar Zaman is out. Now Pakistan’s batting line-up from number one to five is similar. If their car is running in the third gear, then it will stay in the third gear. ut won’t be able to switch into turbo mode in the last five or 10 overs,” he added.

Fakhar Zaman was ruled out for the remainder of the Champions Trophy due to an injury sustained during the match against New Zealand. Imam-ul-Haq replaced Fakhar in the 15-man squad. Babar Azam has been opening for Pakistan in ODIs since the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Sunil Gavaskar demands this radical change in India's playing XI vs Pakistan