New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali alleged that Pakistan fast bowlers belittled South Africa’s Morne Morkel during his coaching stint with the national team. He said that the Pakistan bowlers considered themselves bigger than the game.
Morkel was appointed as Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach in June last year with compatriot Mickey Arthur as Pakistan’s Team Director at that point. He resigned from the role following Pakistan’s exit from the 2023 World Cup in India in November. The former South African pacer was appointed the bowling coach of the Indian men’s national cricket team in August this year.
Indian pacers kicked off the home Test season with fabulous results in the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai. Jasprit Bumrah led the proceedings with four wickets in the first innings with the likes of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj adding two wickets each to bundle up Bangladesh innings at 149 before the spinners shone in the second innings.
Pointing out the difference between India and Pakistan pacers under Morkel’s coaching, Basit Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, mentioned Pakistan pacers belittled the South African.
“The Pakistani bowlers consider themselves to be bigger than cricket. They thought that Morkel was nothing in front of us,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
Basit Ali points out difference between India and Pakistan playing against Bangladesh in Test
Bangladesh cricket team came to India riding on the confidence from a historic Test series win in Pakistan. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side defeated Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi to not just record their first wins in Test cricket against the Asian rivals but also exposed the shortcomings in Pakistan’s already tottering cricket system.
However, Bangladesh failed to show a similar fighting approach against India in Chennai as the ICC ranked No.2 India was assertive in their home conditions even when found under pressure in the initial stage.
“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,” Basit said.
India and Bangladesh will play the second Test in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1. Meanwhile, Pakistan is gearing up to host England in a three-match Test series, starting from October 7 in Multan.
Comments are closed.