Basit Ali: “In Pakistan, it seems people, including the board, are asleep. Against India, you need someone who has won you the Champions Trophy before: Sarfaraz Ahmed”
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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called for ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed to be appointed as the national team’s mentor for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The tournament is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and Dubai, which is where all of India’s matches will take place.
Explaining why he “wouldn’t recommend anyone else” other than Sarfaraz, Basit pointed out that the 37-year-old won the Champions Trophy with Pakistan in 2017.
He added that Sarfaraz will also provide “invaluable” guidance for key matches such as Pakistan’s clash with India, which will be played in Dubai on February 23.
“Afghanistan appointed Younis Khan as a mentor, which is a great choice. In Pakistan, it seems people, including the board, are asleep. Against India, you need someone who has won you the Champions Trophy before: Sarfaraz Ahmed,” Basit said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“In this match (against India), Sarfaraz’s suggestions will be invaluable. He knows how to handle pressure and has already lifted the trophy against them. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else.”
The Pakistan team recently toured South Africa and lost the T20I series 2-0 before bouncing back to secure a 3-0 victory in the ODIs.
As for the two-Test series, they were beaten 2-0.
Pakistan then took on the West Indies in a two-Test series, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah