"Only retired cricketers come for the PSL" - Basit Ali on top cricketers choosing IPL over Pakistani league
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali highlighted that the top names in world cricket avoid participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He suggested that only retired players are interested in playing in the tournament.
Basit pointed out that the case is different in the Indian Premier League, which features almost all of the top stars of international cricket. In a live session on his YouTube channel, he remarked (from 11:05):
"Which current international player comes to play in the PSL? Only retired cricketers come for the PSL. The world's most top-class players take part in the IPL. The likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, all play the IPL. Who comes for our PSL?"
He also opined that the rise of franchise cricket has hurt Pakistan cricket significantly, as money has become the top priority for the Men in Green players, adding (from 8:34):
"Since the popularity of franchise cricket, it's just about money. Who plays for the country now? Naseem Shah cried after Pakistan lost to India at the 2024 T20 World Cup in America. He felt sad, but did you look at the faces of other players?"
Basit Ali represented Pakistan in 50 ODIs and 19 Tests during his career. He has come into the limelight recently with the rise of his YouTube channel, where he gives his opinion on the recent developments in world cricket.
"This isn't the right way" - Basit Ali on Pakistan naming squad for Test series opener against England without a press conference
Pakistan are set to host England for a three-match Test series next month. The home team announced a 15-member squad for the opening match on Tuesday, September 24.
Basit Ali emphasized that the Pakistani think tank should have conducted a press conference to announce the squad. Reckoning that Test coach Jason Gillespie and captain Shan Masood didn't want to address the media as they knew there were going to be a lot of tough questions, the cricketer-turned-expert said in the same video (from 0:40):
"The selectors don't want to come in the front. Jason Gillespie and Shan Masood also don't want to come in front of the media because there are going to be a lot of questions. They announced the team through a press release, but this isn't the right way. When you form a team, you must face the questions of the journalists and the public."
The Test series opener between Pakistan and England will start in Multan on October 7.