Basit Ali slams Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris for 'not allowed to talk about India' comment

Basit Ali lashed out at Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris for his controversial remark about players not being allowed to talk about India in the dressing room during the Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, in Oman. The tournament begins on Friday, October 18, with Bangladesh A taking on Hong Kong in Al Amerat.

In a viral video on social media, ahead of the highly-anticipated India A versus Pakistan A encounter in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Haris revealed that talking about their neighbours was not permissible in the dressing room. The key reason he gave citing his international experience with the senior national side that it adds unnecessary pressure. Hence it was in best interest of the team to also think about other teams of the tournament.

"Aapko ek baat batau. Pehli dafa hoga ke is dressing room mei Bharat par baat karne pe pabandi hai (I will tell you one thing; for the first time, we are not allowed to talk about India in the dressing room)," Haris said in a viral video on social media.

"We don't have to think [only] about India. We have to think about other teams as well. I have been in the [senior] Pakistan team and played in the last World Cup as well. It creates so much pressure that mentally, you are thinking about India, India. We have to face other teams as well," he added.

Also Check: India A squad for ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 announced

While Haris' comments made the headlines, they garnered severe criticism from a section of the cricket fraternity. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali was one of the many who lambasted the 23-year-old for his comments. The 53-year-old said that Haris did not have any idea about what to speak and what not.

"He has no sense, what to speak and what not (Usko akal nahi hai, kya bolna hai kya nahi bolna). If somebody thinks the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given those instructions, then that is wrong," Basit said on his YouTube channel.

Check out the video of Mohammad Haris' viral remarks here:

Intresting strategy by Pakistan-A captain Harris to handle pressure in Emerging Asia cup.

"Dressing room me Bharat pe baat karne pe pabandi hai" pic.twitter.com/R6FMOCrjyA

— Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) October 15, 2024

India-Pakistan A sides will clash on October 19

The 'A' sides of arch-rivals India and Pakistan will square off at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) at Al Amerat, Oman on Saturday, October 19. India A and Pakistan A are placed in Group B in the Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 along with UAE and Oman.

Also Read: 'What Is The Point? Look At India' - Basit Ali lashes out at Pakistan's pitch curator Tony Hemming

Meanwhile, Group A comprises Hong Kong, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, and Bangladesh A. Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A lock horns on the first day of the tournament after the Bangladesh A versus Hong Kong fixture.