In a thought-provoking statement, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has voiced his concern over the growing dominance of T20 franchise leagues and its potential to “destroy cricket.” His comments come in the wake of key New Zealand players, including star batter Devon Conway, declining central contracts in favor of more lucrative? franchise opportunities.

Basit Ali on franchise cricket

Conway, a pivotal figure in New Zealand cricket, recently turned down a central playing contract and opted instead for a casual playing contract over the next 12 months. This decision was primarily influenced by his desire to participate in the SA20 league, scheduled to begin early next year. Conway’s move has raised alarms about the future of traditional formats of cricket, as more players prioritize T20 leagues over national duties.

Basit Ali, known for his forthright views, did not mince words when addressing this growing trend. He warned that the proliferation of franchise leagues poses a grave threat to the essence of cricket, particularly to Test cricke??t, which he believes is at risk of being overshadowed by the allure of quick money and shorter formats.

“The overgrowth of franchise leagues will destroy cricket, It’s a poison for players in the traditional cricket world. The influx of money into franchise cricket has created a phobia, pushing players away from the longer formats of the game.” Ali stated

Ali also highlighted that this is not an issue confined to New Zealand.? He predicted that other cricketing nations, including Pakistan, w??ill face similar challenges as players increasingly choose franchise opportunities over international commitments.

“Conway has already said that he will not play the Sri Lanka series. This is not New Zealand’s issue alone. In times to come, other teams will also face a similar situation. Pakistan players will do this as well. This is because so much money has come into franchise cricket,” he explained.

Also READ: Devon?? Conway reveals the key reason for turning down New Zealand central contract

Ali points out India’s position

Interestingly, Pakistani batter pointed out that India are in a somewhat unique position in this scenario. The country’s cricket board has effectively shielded its players from the distractions of multiple franchise leagues by only allowing participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

R??eflecting on the broader implications, Ali expressed deep concern for the future of cricket, particularly for Test cricket, which he believes is most vulnerable to the rise of T20.

“India is very lucky in this matter. They don’t play T20 tournaments other than the IPL, T20 is not going to stop, but it will destroy cricket, Test cricket in particular. For solid batters, who play long innings, this is poison. Barring India, many more countries will suffer due to T20 cricket. Money will win, cricket will lose,” he concluded.

As franchise cricket continues to grow in popularity and profitability, Ali’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the potential cost to the sport’s rich traditions and long-standing formats.

Also READ??: Reason why the second Test? between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Karachi will take place without spectators

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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has ignited a storm of controversy with his recent claim that the International Cricket Council (ICC) might be intentionally sabotaging Babar Azam‘s career. This audacious statement, made in the wake of Babar’s continued reign as the world’s number one ODI batter despite a prolonged absence from the format, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.

The Babar Azam conundrum

Babar’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of ODI batting has been nothing short of extraordinary. His elegant strokeplay and consistent run-scoring have made him a darling of the cricket-watching public. However, the fact that he has maintained his top ranking without playing an ODI since November 2023 has raised eyebrows.

Basit’s contention is that the ICC’s ranking system is flawed and that it is somehow benefiting from keeping Babar at the top, regardless of his recent performances. This claim has naturally sparked a heated debate among fans, experts, and former c?ricketers alike.

“When I saw the ICC ranking (ODI batters), Babar Azam was at the top, number two was Rohit Sharma, number three was Shubman Gill, and then there was Virat Kohli at number four. I did not find it necessary to read the remaining names because I couldn’t see Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra. I think the ICC wants that Babar doesn’t perform. He would be happy with being the number one-ranked batter in ODIs. Who gives these rankings? On what basis are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill there? The people at ICC are Babar Azam’s enemies. If you asked Babar who is the current number one, he would also pick Travis Head or Virat Kohli. Even he wouldn’t say that he is the number one,” said Basit as quoted by CricketPakistan.

The ICC ranking system under scrutiny

The ICC’s ranking system has often been a subject of discussion and debate. Critics argue that it doesn’t accurately reflect a player’s current form and that it is heavily influenced by the strength of opposition. The case of Babar has only served to amplify these criticisms.

While some argue that the ranking system should be more dynamic, others defend the ICC, stating that it is a complex algorithm that takes into account a player’s entire career and not just recent performances.

Irrespective of the merits of Basit’s claims, there is no denying that the controversy surrounding Babar’s ranking has put immense pressure on the Pakistani captain. The expectations from him are sky-high, and any dip in form is magnified.

Also READ: Reason why the second Test between P?akistan and Bangladesh in Karachi will take place without spectat??ors

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Pakistan cricket superstar Babar Azam, once celebrated for his consistent performances, has recently been grappling with a dip in form. The 29-year-old skipper endured a disappointing campaign in both the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024, failing to make a significant impact with the bat. His struggles have been a cause of concern for fans and experts ?alike, as Babar, known for his elegant stroke play, has been unable to find his rhythm in recent international outings.

Former cricketer makes a bold prediction

Despite Babar’s recent challenges, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made a bold prediction regarding the star batter’s future. In a recent statement, Basi?t expressed strong confidence that Babar would make a remarkable comeback, predicting th??at the right-hander will score five centuries in the next five months. Basit’s assertion comes as a beacon of hope for Babar’s supporters, who are eager to see him return to his best form.

“Babar Azam will score five centuries in the coming five months. Babar has the best chance to leave the top batters behind, whether it is Kane Williamson or Joe Root. It is a very easy chance,” said Basit on his YouTube channel.

No captaincy pressure in Tests

Basit attributed this predicted resurgence to the fact that Babar will be playing without the added burden of captaincy in Test cricket. According to ?Basit, the absence of leadership responsibilities will allow Babar to focus solely on his batting, enabling him to reclaim his position as one of the top batter??s in the world.

“However, now that the pressure of captaincy is off from him, he should forget about the captaincy. He should remove the thought of captaincy from his mind and just focus on scoring runs,” added Basit.

Also ??READ: Former Pakistan cricketer calls on Babar Azam to resign from white-ball captaincy

Comparison with Virat Kohli

In his analysis, Basit also drew a comparison between Babar and Indian cricket star Virat Kohli?, particul??arly focusing on their batting techniques. He suggested that Babar could benefit from adjusting his stance slightly and working on his foot movement, drawing on advice from the legendary Zaheer Abbas.

“Babar Azam still has seven to eight days. He should start skipping ropes. I am giving him this advice which was given to me by Asian Bradman, Zaheer Abbas. It helps in feet movement. Also, Babar needs to shorten his stance by a few inches. If he does these things, he will leave the top batters behind in five months. If you want to see someone’s stance, look at Virat Kohli. Both of them have the same height,” Basit added further.

Fans’ expectations in the upcoming Test series

With Pakistan’s home Test series against Bangladesh on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating Babar’s return to form. The upcoming matches present an ideal opportunity for Babar to silence his critics and reaffirm his status as one of the premier batters in the world. Supporters are hopeful that Basit’s bold prediction will come to fruition, with Babar delivering the kind of performances that have made him a national hero.

Also READ: Pakist??an Cricket Board announces fan-friendly ticket?? prices for the home Test series against Bangladesh

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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has ignited a debate with his recent comments regarding Babar Azam�/strong>s form and leadership. Babar, who has struggled to replicate his batting prowess in recent matches, last scored a century against Nepal during the Asia Cup 2023 and has encountered several setbacks in his role as captain during?? recent ICC events.