Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called for the appointment of former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed as the team’s mentor for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Basit Ali believes that the 2017 Champion Trophy winner’s presence in the dressing room could provide the current squad with the guidance and confidence needed to replicate that success.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said,
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.
He further elaborated on Sarfaraz’s ability to handle high-stakes matches, particularly against India, saying, “In this match, 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.”
In addition to his endorsement of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Basit Ali also voiced concerns about the Champions Trophy venue arrangements, particularly regarding India’s matches in Dubai. He suggested that the conditions in Dubai could pose significant challenges for the Indian team, potentially affecting their performance in the tournament.
“Dubai has not been a lucky ground for India. If their matches were in Sri Lanka instead of Dubai, I might consider them as finalists. But Dubai has always posed problems for them,” Basit remarked.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to commence on February 19, with Pakistan hosting the event in collaboration with the UAE. The host will kick off the tournament with a match against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The highlight of the tournament will undoubtedly be the clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.