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While Pakistan gear up to face England in the first Test of the three-match series in Multan, former cricketer Basit Ali has issued a stern warning to captain Shan Masood. Disappointed by Pakistan's cautious approach in announcing the playing XI, Ali believes that Masood has inadvertently given England a tactical advantage.
Basit Ali critiques Pakistan's cautious approach
Drawing inspiration from India's fearless captain, Rohit Sharma, Basit Ali has urged Masood to adopt a more aggressive leadership style. He believes that such a proactive approach is crucial for Pakistan's success in the series.
Counterattacking England:
Ali criticized Pakistan's response to England's early announcement of their playing XI. He suggested that Masood should have immediately countered by revealing Pakistan's lineup, demonstrating confidence and refusing to be intimidated by the opposition.
Basit Ali's advice highlights the importance of assertive leadership and strategic decision-making in the face of competitive challenges. As Pakistan takes on England, it will be interesting to see if Shan Masood heeds his former teammate's counsel and adopts a more aggressive approach.
“Shan Masood saab, counter-attack kar dena chahiye tha aapko (you should have counter-attacked). It's still not late; do it in the morning (Sunday) after assessing the pitch. What will happen at most? A mistake, so what! Mistakes happened against Bangladesh as well. The one who counter-attacks wins,” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
Basit Ali has urged Masood to emulate the bold leadership style of India's Rohit Sharma. Recalling India's stunning victory against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Ali emphasised how Rohit's daring decisions turned the tide in favor of the team, despite adverse weather conditions.
If you take brave calls, then only you will win: Basit Ali
Rohit's aggressive approach, including a timely declaration, played a pivotal role in India's victory over Bangladesh. This series sweep not only secured a 2-0 lead for India but also strengthened their position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 points table.The 53-year-old believes that Pakistan, coming off a disappointing series against Bangladesh, needs a leader like Rohit Sharma to instill fearlessness and confidence in the team. He emphasized the importance of bold decisions and strategic thinking in turning around a team's fortunes.
“Agar aap chahte hain ki Rohit Sharma ke jaise bahadur banein kaptaani mei, to faisle karein (if you want to be brave like Rohit in captaincy, then make decisions). If you take brave calls, then only you will win.
You don't have a Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (Ravindra Jadeja), or 'Boom Boom' Bumrah. So, raise the confidence level of those you have with you. Tell them, 'You are my match-winner.' Simple theory,” Basit signed off.
