'He has the experience of lifting the trophy'- Basit Ali suggests PCB to appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan's mentor

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19 and will take place in Pakistan and UAE. The Pakistan team will be looking to defend their title at home and will be led by their star wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, in his first ICC event as a captain.

Though Pakistan will still have an advantage playing at home, the Pakistan Cricket Board has faced a lot of criticism for how they have been running the national team in the last few months. The criticism has continued with former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali who questioned the need for a great mentor and suggested the name of former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who also led the team to their first-ever Champions Trophy title in 2017.

Ali also went on to give a harsh statement saying the board is sleeping and also mentions Afghanistan appointing former T20 World Champion Younus Khan as a mentor.

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“Afghanistan appointed the great Younis Khan as a mentor, who is a good choice. People in Pakistan must be sleeping, and so is the board. They need a mentor against India, someone who won you the Champions Trophy the last time: Sarfaraz Ahmed," said Basit on his YouTube Channel.

“In this match, Sarfaraz's suggestions will work. He has the experience of lifting the trophy against them. I won't take anyone else's name. He led the team to victory," Basit added.

Dubai has not been a lucky ground for India: Basit Ali

Basit after criticising the board’s decision also said that arch-rivals India have a disadvantage in the tournament since all their matches will be played in Dubai. According to Basit Dubai has not been a very lucky venue for the Indian team.

“I told you before also that the final will happen in Lahore. I am still saying the same. If India's matches were in Sri Lanka instead of Dubai then I would say India would come to the final. Dubai has not been a lucky ground for India. They have always had a problem there," said Basit Ali.