Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made a scathing attack on Pakistan’s national cricket team and country’s economy ahead of their must-win game against India in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Pakistan will face their arch-rivals India at the International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday.
Former Pakistan’s cricketer Basit Ali has injected a dose of dark humor into the pre-match commentary surrounding Pakistan’s crucial Champions Trophy 2025 encounter with India. With a touch of sarcasm, Basit Ali suggested that a potential one-sided defeat for the Mohammad Rizwan-led team might not trigger the usual destructive reactions from fans. He supported his argument by highlighting Pakistan’s current high inflation which would likely prevent people from smashing their television sets in frustration.
Basit Ali take a brutal dig at Pakistan ahead of clash against India
This commentary follows Pakistan’s 60-run defeat to New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025 opener, which came as a big jolt for the defending champions playing on home soil in Karachi. In contrast, India registered a comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy campaign opener in Dubai.
Now the stage is set for the high-voltage drama between India and Pakistan in Dubai which is scheduled to be played on February 23 in Dubai. Basit Ali, appearances for Pakistan, believes that while fans will undoubtedly express their disappointment verbally, the economic realities will likely temper any more destructive displays of frustration.
Basit Ali feels India are the clear favourites in the clash against Pakistan and even if Mohammad Rizwan’s side ends up beating Rohit Sharma’s brigade it will be considered as a big upset.
Basit Ali shares his views on IND vs PAK 2025 Champions Trophy clash
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali recently stated that Pakistani fans do not have much hope from Mohammad Rizwan and Co. for their 2025 Champions Trophy match against arch-rivals India. He said that he has spoken about the marquee clash with people from different walks of life and 80% of them have backed the Men in Blue to win.
The much-awaited India-Pakistan match of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, February 23. Suggesting that most Pakistani fans have picked India as firm favorites for the game, here’s what Basit said in his latest YouTube video
“Since yesterday, I’ve met and spoken to everyone from drivers, people serving breakfast, cameramen, and the servants of my mother’s house. For the first time in my life, 80% of the people in Pakistan are saying that India will win easily and this team can’t defeat India.”
Basit Ali believes that if Pakistan somehow manage to beat India, it will be considered an upset, adding
“It will be an upset if Pakistan win against India. People are too afraid to speak the truth on television.”
The defending champions Pakistan find themselves in a precarious position following their 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side must win against India to remain afloat in the tournament.
India, on the other hand, clinched a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh to kick off their campaign. Pakistan will head into the clash against India with a fear of getting eliminated from the tournament as they can’t afford a single loss in the ongoing showpiece event. Not just this, Pakistan will be without the services of their superstar opener Fakhar Zaman, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Champions Trophy after picking injury during New Zealand clash.
Pakistan’s updated Champions Trophy squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A of the 2025 Champions Trophy. With two points from one match, India are placed second in the standings. Pakistan are yet to open their account and are languishing at the bottom of the group.