‘Please copy their system’ - Basit Ali suggests PCB to emulate India’s domestic structure

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has suggested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to adopt a domestic structure similar to India’s, citing its success in producing quality players in recent times. He noted that the governing council copied the systems of England, Australia and New Zealand previously to better Pakistan cricket but none worked and advised to try India’s structure next.

Pakistan lost to Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the first Test has reopened the floodgate of criticism. Ali mentioned the importance of building a strong base and stated that BCCI will be hosting the Duleep Trophy next month, which is a red-ball tournament while Pakistan is focusing more on white-ball cricket - which is not helping them create a good pool for Test cricket.

“There will be a One-Day tournament called the Champions Cup after the Test series. Pakistan have copied the systems of England, Australia, and New Zealand. India is right next to us, please copy their system too. You need intelligence in copying as well. Just copy what India is doing. The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It is a four-day tournament. They are focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful,” he said on YouTube.

Also Read - 'Mohsin Naqvi has no idea about cricket' - Ahmed Shahzad criticizes PCB chairman

Multiple former cricketers have blamed the team management for picking white-ball specialists in the Test series against Bangladesh. Keeping that in mind, Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam, who were previously released from the squad, have been recalled to join the team for the second Test, slated to be played from August 30 to September 3 in Rawalpindi.

After the first Test, captain Shan Masood noted that he expected the pacers to get help from the surface but it changed drastically on Day 5, resulting in Pakistan getting bundled for 146 runs. In the second Test, the team is expected to make a few changes and bring in a few spinners that can help them finish the series on level terms.