"Joe Root shouldn't be the one who breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record" - Basit Ali
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali reckoned England's Joe Root should not be the player who breaks Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's record of scoring the most runs in Test cricket.
Tendulkar has 15921 runs to his name in Tests. With 11940 runs, Root is currently the eighth-highest run-getter in the format. While the English batter has a chance of getting close to Tendulkar's tally, Basit suggested that someone like Virat Kohli deserved to surpass the 'Master Blaster'.
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, Basit Ali said (from 25:24):
"Joe Root shouldn't break Sachin Tendulkar's record. To break Sachin's record, you should be the same type of player as him, like Virat Kohli. I am sorry, but Joe Root shouldn't be the one who breaks Sachin's record."
Joe Root is currently playing in the ongoing three-match Test series between England and West Indies. The right-handed batter has been in fine form in the rubber, chalking up 204 runs across three innings.
"If he doesn't score runs now, when will he?" - Basit Ali on Babar Azam's form
In the aforementioned video, Basit Ali also spoke about Pakistan batter Babar Azam's form. He pointed out how the Men in Green's white-ball skipper has failed to score big runs in the recent past.
He urged Babar to turn things around in the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Basit remarked:
"He should score big runs against Bangladesh. He hasn't scored a century for almost a year now. His last hundred was against Nepal, and then he hit one in PSL. If he doesn't score runs now, when will he? Later England will come and we will make flat pitches due to fear."
Babar Azam was last seen in action during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he scored 122 runs from four games at a strike rate of 101.66. His captaincy came under the scanner as Pakistan suffered a heartbreaking group-stage exit.
Pakistan will compete against Bangladesh in a two-match Test series at home, beginning August 21. Following the two games, the side will host England for a three-match Test series.