India vs. Australia Test Series: Basit Ali Downplays Hype, Emphasizes India-Pakistan Rivalry
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has dismissed the predictions of Indian and Australian experts that India will secure a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia. Ali believes that such statements are merely attempts to generate hype around the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ali emphasized the unparalleled rivalry between India and Pakistan, asserting that it eclipses even the historic Ashes series between England and Australia. “The whole world knows that India vs. Pakistan is on one side and everything else is on the other side,” he remarked.
Ali argued that the excitement surrounding an India-Pakistan sports rivalry extends beyond cricket. He cited the potential buzz around a javelin throw contest between India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, referencing the Paris Olympics where Arshad outperformed Neeraj.
“When Neeraj and Arshad compete in javelin, the whole world will be in front of the television, and the stadium will be full,” Ali said.
Ali suggested that a bilateral series of hockey, javelin, or kabaddi between India and Pakistan would generate more excitement than the India-Australia Test series. “Just conduct a bilateral series of hockey, javelin, or kabaddi between India and Pakistan in some other country, and you will know whether the India-Australia series is bigger or the India-Pakistan match is bigger,” he said.
Despite the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ali believes it cannot match the intensity of an India-Pakistan contest. “They are trying to create hype,” he said. “But nothing matches the India-Pakistan clash.”
