'Just copy what India is doing': Ex-Pakistan cricketer urges PCB

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer

Basit Ali

has urged the

Pakistan Cricket Board

(PCB) to prioritize

red-ball cricket

to build a more solid foundation for the national team. This call for change comes after Pakistan's series of disappointing performances, highlighted by a 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi.
Ali criticized the PCB's decision to hold a One-Day

Champions Cup

following the Test series, suggesting a shift in strategy to improve players' skills and strengthen the cricketing base in Pakistan.

Ali pointed out that the current strategy of emulating the cricketing systems of Australia, New Zealand, and England is not effective for Pakistan. Instead, he recommended adopting practices from their neighbors, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"There will be a One-Day tournament called the Champions Cup after the Test series. Pakistan has copied the systems of England, Australia, and New Zealand. India is right next to us; please copy their system too. You need intelligence in copying as well. Just copy what India is doing," Ali stated on his YouTube channel.

He further emphasized the importance of red-ball cricket by highlighting India's

Duleep Trophy

, a four-day tournament designed to strengthen its players' foundations.
"The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It’s a four-day tournament. They focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful," Ali added.
Basit Ali's comments underline the crucial role of

Test cricket

in achieving long-term success. His call to reform suggests that Pakistan should nurture red-ball talent by adopting a model similar to the BCCI, which has proven to be successful for Indian cricket in recent years.