ICC World Cup 2019: Basit Ali Urges Pakistan to Take a Cue From Australia
Jul 5, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has cited Australia’s example before Pakistan to make a strong return. With Pakistan on the verge of getting knocked-out officially on Friday (July 5), the former cricketers have backed the players for a decent comeback at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019.
On the ongoing twelfth edition of the ODI showpiece, Sarfraz led side had a terrible start to their campaign. Early on, they lost to the Windies by seven wickets on 31st of May in Trent Bridge. They also failed to Australia and India, before winning their three games against England, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Ali in favour of accountability of players and coaches:
Ali further maintained focused on accountability by saying they should look at such aspects to improve their game.
He further reiterated that professionalism of players, as well as coaches, has a significant role to play in shaping up cricket.
The former batsman Ali also reckoned that they’re supposed to go for proper planning to make things happen in the cricketing arena.
Ali further remarked that Pakistan should take a leaf from resurgent Australia’s book which has finished on the top of World Cup team standings following a miserable show in 2018.
“Australia till recently were being badly bruised. And beaten at home by India and see how they staged a comeback. They are now top of the World Cup points table. We need that sort of professionalism, planning, and accountability of players and coaches in our system,” Ali told Pakistan media.
Following a mixed show, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already initiated an inquiry in a bid to bring more accountability to forth. Also, the overhauled cricket committee will focus on a team’s performance since 2017.
The committee is bound to prove resolution and on to which PCB’s chairman Ehsan Mani will act accordingly.
Following their loss against Windies, Pakistan had hardly recovered from their poor net run-rate which also halted their road to make it to the top four.
Moin Khan backs players:
Apart from Ali, former skipper Moin Khan conceded that the 1992 World Cup champions didn’t have a poor run at the World Cup.
After facing the heat from fans and former cricketers, Pakistan had made a strong comeback. But England had shattered their hopes of semis by beating New Zealand by 119 runs in Durham.
Moin stated if Pakistan would defeat Bangladesh, they could make it five wins in nine matches. Also, their game against Sri Lanka ended on a no-result when inclement marred the contest.
He also added that PCB should take decisions wisely. Adding, the choppings and changing won’t help the team’s cause in a nutshell.
“Look if we win against Bangladesh, we will end the World Cup with five wins out of nine with one match abandoned. And its is not a bad performance by my standards. So, whatever the PCB does it needs to think very carefully. Because just changing faces or positions will not help,” Moin asserted.
On Friday (June 5), Pakistan will face Bangladesh at iconic Lord’s in their last league game of the World Cup.