edited by: Amrit Santlani
Last Update: January 24, 2023, 14:33 IST
Mohammad Azharuddin (AFP Image)
Basit Ali spills the beans on Pakistani side’s dressing room secrets, how they plan to ‘harass’ Indian players
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has revealed some of the dressing room secrets from his playing days, revealing that players were asked to harass Indian players during team meetings.
Basit said that he was asked to sledge others like Sachin Tendulkar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Ajay Jadeja and Vinod Kambli, but he also pointed out an interesting detail that Pakistani players never sledged Mohammad Azharuddin.
Ali played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan and he spilled some beans on the Pakistani side’s dressing room secrets, revealing why they never sled Azhar.
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Speaking to the former Indian captain on his YouTube channel, Basit recalled, “Before each India match, I was given the responsibility of sledging the Indian players. I was told to trouble Sachin (Tendulkar), Jadeja (Ajay), Sidhu (Navjot), Kambli (Vinod) but as soon as Azhar bhai’s name came up, the whole team unanimously said don’t bother Azhar bhai Will be done.
“I have no words to describe the respect we used to have for Azhar bhai in our dressing room,” he said.
“Whether it is Wasim (Akram) bhai, Salim Malik, Rashid Latif, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis, they would not dare to sledge Azhar bhai. I don’t think any Pakistani player has ever insulted Azhar bhai.”
During the chat, Azhar also recalled the time when he was the captain of the team and a young Sachin came up to him and said he wanted to bat up the order, with Tendulkar opening in ODIs.
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“During his first 69 ODIs, Sachin batted in the middle order and never got that many chances. He asked me, and I cannot say no to such a talented player,” Azhar said.
Basit also revealed how the former India skipper gave up his place in the team to promote youngsters like Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.
The Pakistani veteran said, “Azhar bhai used to bat at No.3 and when players like Ganguly and Dravid came up, he started batting lower down the order and gave his place to youngsters.”
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