"There is a don of Pakistan cricket who is making all the decisions" - Basit Ali makes big statementÂ
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali recently spoke about how there is a 'don' who controls cricket in Pakistan. While he didn't name anyone, he stated that he has also been on the receiving end of the said person's doings.
The cricketer-turned-expert made these remarks in a video shared on his YouTube channel. Basit said (from 4:48):
"There is a don of Pakistan cricket who is making all the decisions. You will not be able to tell who it is. I've spent two-three years in a lot of trouble. I've read all the faces, who is who, what he says and what he does from behind. All those faces were exposed in front of me. He did a lot of politics with me."
Basit also claimed that the 'don' of Pakistan cricket is keen to rope in the selector and former cricketer Aaqib Javed as the new head coach of the Men in Green. He, however, warned Javed that even if he does take the role, he will be sacked following the 2025 Champions Trophy, saying (from 6:44):
"The don of Pakistan cricket has said that Aaqib Javed should be made the head coach. It will be a foolish decision if Aaqib takes up the offer. Chocolaty miyan, I am telling you that it will be a foolish decision. If you want to be the head coach, then resign from the selection committee, otherwise, you will get trapped and it will be tata-tata bye-bye after the Champions Trophy."
Basit added that even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, follows the orders of someone else, remarking (from 7:13):
"I know the Badshah salamat very well. He is not alone. He has placed his pawns everywhere in the PCB and even at the government level. Mohsin Naqvi is not the badshah salamat. He is given advice and just asked to sign."
It is worth mentioning that recent reports suggested that Aaqib Javed was set to replace Jason Gillespie as Pakistan's coach. However, the PCB later clarified that there was no truth to the conjecture.
"A fast bowler cannot be a good coach or captain" - Basit Ali on reports of Aaqib Javed becoming Pakistan's head coach
Basit Ali also reckoned that Aaqib Javed won't succeed as a coach. He suggested that a fast bowler is unlikely to be a good captain or coach, with Australia's Pat Cummins being the only exception.
The 53-year-old added in the aforementioned video (from 8:29):
"The seat of the head coach is not good for Aaqib Javed. I believe that a fast bowler cannot be a good coach or captain. Pat Cummins is the only exception. Apart from him, you see, Imran Khan and Kapil Dev were all all-rounders."
Meanwhile, Pakistan are currently competing against Australia in a three-match T20I series. Australia have pocketed the series by claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead with one game to go.