Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has come down hard on the broadcasters for attempting to maximize profits instead of putting cricket first in Asia Cup 2025. His remarks come in the backdrop of arch-rivals India and Pakistan potentially locking horns more than once in the tournament. The 8-nation tournament will commence from September 9 onwards, with the first IND vs PAK clash scheduled for September 14.
‘Only winner will be…’
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali claimed that not India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, but the broadcasters will be the real winners of Asia Cup 2025. Noting that cricket had turned into a money-making game, the former Pakistan cricketer pointed out that business interests had overtaken cricket in various leagues across the globe and the same was going to happen in Asia Cup as well.
“It’s unfortunate that cricket has turned into a money-making game. In franchise leagues across the world, cricket comes second while business interests always come first. The same will happen in this Asia Cup — Pakistan won’t win, India won’t win, Sri Lanka won’t win. The only winner will be the broadcasters,” Ali said.
There has been a lot of mixed reactions to India taking on Pakistan in the tournament, especially in the backdrop of geopolitical tensions between the two countries. Despite the BCCI getting the go ahead from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), several former cricketers and fans have lashed out at the decision to take on the arch-rivals.
Meanwhile, the ACC indicated that India could potentially take on Pakistan more than just once. The first game will happen in the group stage on September 14 in Dubai, with the next two ties could perhaps take place in the Super Four and final.
“Broadcasters make the real decisions, not the players on the field,” Basit Ali remarked.
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