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 ot 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.
“Agar one-sided hota hai, toh ab TV bhi nahi tootenge kyunki Pakistan mei mehangai bahut zyada hai. Ab zabaan se hi har cheez hogi (If Pakistan loses one-sided against India, now the fans will not thrash their TV sets because of the country’s economic situation. Now there will be only voiced opinion,” Basit, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, said on his YouTube channel.
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.
“India are favourites. There is no doubt about that. In my opinion, if Pakistan manages to beat India, it will be an upset because our cricket has gone down and is at all-time low,” he added.
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.