"Our fast bowling has been on the decline" - Basit Ali feels Pakistan's pace attack lost steam after being hammered by India
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali opined that the level of the Men in Green's pace attack has gone downhill in the recent past. He suggested that the Pakistan bowlers have lost steam since they were dominated by India at the Asia Cup last year.
India registered a massive 352-run total against Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the continental event in 2023. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 122, while openers Shubman Gill (58) and Rohit Sharma (56) also notched up fine half-centuries.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, here's what Basit Ali said about Pakistan's fast bowling (from 6:40):
"Virat Kohli scored a century and before that, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill dominated the Pakistani bowlers (in 2023 Asia Cup). Since that day, our fast bowling has been on the decline."
In the same video, Basit hailed Kohli for being supremely fit. He mentioned that the ace batter could easily continue being part of the Indian team till the 2027 ODI World Cup. He, however, remarked that Rohit Sharma could struggle to continue till that time, adding (from 10:48):
"Virat Kohli taking retirement from T20Is surprised me. Like Gautam said, I feel Virat can easily play till 2027. It is difficult for Rohit Sharma. His fitness isn't like that and that's the truth. I don't know why Gautam made that point, maybe he did it to increase his confidence. Virat, on the other hand, is super fit and there's nobody like him in fitness in the world right now."
It is worth mentioning that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is following India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
"The day he makes a comeback, he will dominate world cricket" - Basit Ali on Mohammed Shami
India's veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been on the sidelines since the 2023 ODI World Cup. He underwent Achilles Tendon surgery earlier this year and was ruled out of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Basit Ali wished Shami a speedy recovery. The former cricketer predicted that the star pacer would enjoy an imperious run once he returns to international cricket. He also reckoned that if fit, the seasoned campaigner would trouble the Australians in this year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The 53-year-old said (from 7:25):
"The day he will make a comeback, he will dominate world cricket. I pray that he gets fit very soon. If he is there for the Australia tour, he will chase Australians away. Remember my words, that is how he will get them out."
Basit Ali had earlier expressed his displeasure over Mohammed Shami's 'cartoon' remark on Inzamam-ul-Haq during his appearance on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast. The Indian bowler had slammed the ex-Pakistan skipper for indirectly accusing Arshdeep Singh of ball tampering in the 2024 T20 World Cup.