"Pakistani bowlers consider themselves to be bigger than cricket" - Basit Ali on Morne Morkel's coaching stint with the Men in Green
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali recently talked about Team India's new bowling coach Morne Morkel's previous association with the Pakistan team. He suggested that the Men in Green bowlers' attitude was the reason behind the South African's failed stint with the team.
Basit opined that many Pakistani bowlers thought that Morkel was nothing in front of them. In his latest YouTube video on his channel with his name, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 12:36):
"The Pakistani bowlers consider themselves to be bigger than cricket. They thought that Morkel was nothing in front of us."
Morne Morkel was appointed as Pakistan's bowling coach last year in June. However, he resigned from his position six weeks before his contract was set to expire as Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Basit also highlighted how India have completely dominated the proceedings in the ongoing Chennai Test against Bangladesh. He mentioned that Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered a 2-0 whitewash against the same opposition, adding (7:06):
"We got to know the difference. This is the same Bangladesh played against Pakistan, where it seemed as if Pakistan were completely on the back foot. This is the same Bangladesh that whitewashed Pakistan. The difference is of mindset, thinking and class."
Prior to the ongoing two-match Test series against India, Bangladesh scripted history by clinching their maiden Test series victory over Pakistan.
"The biggest plus point for Bangladesh in this Test" - Basit Ali on Najmul Hossain Shanto's gutsy knock against India
Bangladesh have the challenging task of chasing a daunting 515-run target in the ongoing Chennai Test against India. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto played a captain's knock for his team, remaining unbeaten on 51 at Stumps on Day 3 (September 21).
Basit lauded Shanto for playing with a positive approach. Expressing his desire to see the southpaw notch up a century in the innings, he said in the aforementioned video (from 3:12):
"I really like the way the Bangladeshi batters played today. They played positively. Siraj went for 20 runs from three overs and he didn't bowl after that because the captain had planned to use his spinners. Shanto played very well. Shanto's batting has been the biggest plus point for Bangladesh in this Test. It is my wish to see him score a hundred here."
Predicting that Bangladesh will be bowled out in the first session of Day 4, Basit added (from 6:12):
"It will be good for Bangladesh is they manage to reach 350 runs. However, I don't think it will happen. They will be all out before Lunch."
Bangladesh finished at 158/4 after stumps on Day 3 and still require 357 runs to win the Test series opener.