PCB seeks explanation from Basit on remarks against India during World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put former batsman Basit Ali’s appointment for a coaching assignment on hold and sought an explanation from him for suggesting that India would intentionally lose matches to knock Pakistan out of the recent World Cup.

A source in the PCB told that Ali’s appointment as regional coach in Karachi has been held up after the Board had second thoughts about appointing him.

“The board, in fact, conveyed to Ali in clear terms that since he was a Test player and working for them on assignments he should explain and avoid his reckless comments on television,” the source said.

Ali had claimed that India would lose intentionally to England and other teams to keep Pakistan out of the semifinals which caused a furore. Pakistan were knocked out of the mega-events league stage.

“The PCB found itself in an embarrassing situation because of the reckless comments by Ali which were said without any evidence or substance as internationally this has hurt the image of Pakistan cricket,” the source stated.

“The thing is that the PCB now has second thoughts about Ali as Karachi regional coach and wondering that if they appoint him what impression this will create internationally since Pakistan is a senior member of the International Cricket Council,” he added.

PCB had shortlisted Ali for a coaching assignment in Karachi region but has now put that decision on hold.

“Ali was expecting to be issued a contract soon but this has not happened as yet,” the source said. Ali worked as chairman of the national junior selection committee.

While commentating on a national T20 match some years ago on the state-owned Pakistan Television, he accused the coach of the Sialkot regional team of intentionally losing a match.

When questioned, he slapped a former batsman Mahmood Hamid at the national stadium during a domestic cricket match in which Ali was the coach of one team.

Ali first denied slapping Hamid but eventually admitted, saying he was upset with the remarks made by Hamid.