As the ICC World Cup approaches, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized Sourav Ganguly for his recent comments on Indo-Pak matches. Ganguly’s remark suggesting that these matches are overhyped and often one-sided has drawn Ali’s ire.
While Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming tournament is yet to be confirmed, indications point towards their travel to India and a clash with the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side on October 15. The match at the Narendra Modi Stadium holds significant importance, with hotels already filling up, highlighting its magnitude.
Ganguly, the former Indian captain, made an absurd statement claiming that Indo-Pak games are often lopsided and that India-Australia matches are more challenging. This prompted Basit Ali to respond, stating that Pakistan has had favorable results against India in recent years, making the rivalry more captivating.
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“I disagree with Ganguly’s assertion that Indo-Pak games are one-sided. While India may have had the upper hand in the past, Pakistan has also emerged victorious on several occasions since 2017,” Ali stated.
Addressing Ganguly’s comparison of India vs. Australia matches being of higher quality, Ali retorted, “Do the streets in your country become empty when India plays against Australia? No, that only happens when India and Pakistan face each other. Everyone prays during that game. Ticket demands for India-Australia matches are nowhere near those for matches against Pakistan. I feel that Ganguly is playing mind games.”
Ali’s comments highlight the intense emotions and anticipation surrounding Indo-Pak matches, contrasting with Ganguly’s perspective. As the cricketing world awaits the World Cup, the rivalry between these two teams continues to evoke fervor and captivate fans across the globe.