The former security guard set for international debut after famously taking the wicket of Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket in January
sports20 hours ago
Basit Ali was famous for whacking the cricket ball and he even shared the record for the second fastest one-day international century at one stage of his career.
During an one-day match against the West Indies at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the former Pakistan batsman hit a magnificent 67-ball hundred, taking five more balls to reach the landmark than Mohammad Azharuddin, the then record-holder with a 62-ball ton against New Zealand in 1988.
Now more than two decades after his retirement, Ali is in the news again.
This time, the 52-year-old former cricketer has accused the Australian bowlers of ball tampering in the ongoing World Test Championship final against India.
Ali made the allegation on his YouTube Channel after India suffered a batting collapse in reply to Australia's first innings total of 469.
Ali says he is convinced that the Australians did something to the ball especially after Mitchell Starc bounced out Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli.
Ali even slammed the match broadcasters and officials for failing to notice what he called a clear case of ball tampering.
"Firstly, I would clap for those watching the match from commentary box, and the umpires? Australia clearly played with the ball and no one is talking about it," Ali was quoted as saying by hindustantimes.com.
The ex-cricketer claimed that the ball tampering happened between the 16th and 18th overs of the Indian innings when Kohli was dismissed.
Kohli was surprised by a Starc delivery that bounced off a good length and hit his gloves as he was caught in the slips by Steve Smith.
"Look at the 16th, 17th and 18th over, the ball on which Virat Kohli got out... look at the shine. Mitchell Starc had the ball in his hand with the shiny end pointing outside but the ball was moving the other way," Ali said.
"(Ravindra) Jadeja was hitting the ball on the on-side and the ball was flying over point. Have the umpires gone blind? God knows who all are sitting there who can't see such a simple thing."
Australian cricket was hit by a ball tampering scandal in 2018 when Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended for their role in the controversy during a Test match in South Africa.
The former security guard set for international debut after famously taking the wicket of Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket in January
sports20 hours ago
The two-time Grand Slam champion, who won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon last year, turns 21 on Sunday
sports22 hours ago
Fireballs and Smash tied for the lead in the team event at the $25 million 54 hole tournament
sports23 hours ago
The hosts strengthened their chances of securing a slot in the semifinals with a 70-run victory in Abu Dhabi
sports23 hours ago
Mid-match injury forces Medvedev to retire from quarter-final clash with Jiri Lehecka
sports1 day ago
The high scoring IPL has left bowlers with few places to hide and raised concerns about the balance between bat and ball ahead of next month's T20 World Cup
sports1 day ago
The Caribbean admitted to seven charges, including those related to franchise-based leagues in Sri Lanka, UAE and the West Indies, the ICC said
sports1 day ago
Alvarez, who will be chasing the 61st victory of his dazzling career, says he has everything he needs to win
sports1 day ago