In the wake of India’s commanding victory over Bangladesh in the first Test match, former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has voiced strong criticism of Pakistan’s bowlers’ mindset during their recent stint under Morne Morkel, who was appointed as India’s bowling coach last month.
Morkel’s debut as part of the Indian support staff coincided with a stellar performance from Indian bowlers in Chennai, where they secured a 280-run win over Bangladesh. During the match, legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his prowess by taking six wickets in the second innings after going wicketless in the first.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja contributed significantly, dismissing five Bangladeshi batsmen between them. This impressive display has drawn attention to Morkel’s influence on the Indian bowling unit, especially considering his previous coaching role with Pakistan earlier this year.
Criticism of Pakistani Players
In a recent YouTube segment, Basit Ali expressed his disappointment with how Pakistani players treated Morkel during his tenure. He stated, “The Pakistani bowlers consider themselves to be bigger than cricket. They thought that Morkel was nothing in front of us.” His comments highlight a perceived arrogance among some players that may have hindered their development and respect for coaching expertise.
Ali further elaborated on the contrasting mindsets between Indian and Pakistani players following India’s victory. “We got to know the difference. This is the same Bangladesh team that played against Pakistan, where it seemed as if Pakistan were completely on the back foot,” he remarked. His observations point to a significant disparity in approach and mentality between the two cricketing nations.
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Bangladesh’s Triumph Over Pakistan
Before facing India, Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by defeating Pakistan in a two-match Test series for the first time in their history. This achievement was particularly notable as it occurred on Pakistani soil, raising questions about the home team’s ability to capitalize on familiar conditions. Bangladesh’s embarrassment of being whitewashed has added pressure on the Pakistani side.
As both teams prepare for their next challenges, Bangladesh will face India again in a three-match T20I series starting October 6 in Gwalior. The second Test match is set to take place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on September 27. The outcomes of these matches will be crucial for team standings and individual player reputations.
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