‘Consider themselves bigger than cricket’- Basit Ali slams Pakistani players for not learning from Morne Morkel during his stint as bowling coach

Former South African star pacer Morne Morkel has joined as the new bowling coach of team India. His first appearance as the bowling coach of the Indian team took place during the 1st Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. The Indian side played with 3 pace specialists on Chepauk's surface and the decision worked pretty well. Morkel's guidance is going to be beneficial for the Indian pacers in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Morkel's last international stint as a coach was with the Pakistani side which was short-lived. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali while speaking on his YouTube channel was angry at some of the players for not using Morkel’s potential. 

Basit Ali said, “The Pakistani bowlers consider themselves to be bigger than cricket. They thought that Morkel was nothing in front of us”. Morkel was the bowling coach for the Pakistani side during the ODI World Cup last year. 

The former batter also said “We got to know the difference. This is the same Bangladesh played against Pakistan, where it seemed as if Pakistan were completely on the back foot. This is the same Bangladesh that whitewashed Pakistan. The difference is of mindset, thinking and class."

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Former Pakistan star compares Indian pacers with former stars

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali also said “The Indian bowling unit is so impactful that they are on the level with pacers Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis. Right now, Mohammed Shami is not playing,"

After the home season, India travels to Australia to play the five-match Border Gavaskar series. According to Ali, Mayank Yadav should be on the trip after his exploits in the IPL. “Mayank Yadav is very dangerous. His bouncer is accurate. I wish to see him play a Test match in Australia”

During the course of his YouTube show, Ali also said “Bumrah picked 5 in the game, Ashwin took 6, Jadeja clinched 5, Siraj took 2 and Akash Deep took 2. This is the account of 20 wickets. The bowlers ticked all the boxes. India played two spinners, keeping in mind the ball will spin and it happened."

The former Pakistan player went on to say “In our nation, they say there is no value of pitch. They are illiterate people. The ones who have played cricket with pride are there on the board, this is why I get angry. What are you teaching to kids? 50% of the issue is solved if you read the pitch well. Ask Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad, but they won’t understand."