On Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup Snub, Ex-Pak Star's Honest Take: 'Pakistan Mein Hota To...'
Shreyas Iyer's omission from the Asia Cup 2025 squad has sparked criticism from fans and former cricketers.
- Basit Ali expressed surprise at the exclusion of Iyer, Jaiswal, Siraj, and Shami from India's Asia Cup squad
- Basit criticised BCCI for mistreating Shreyas Iyer after his strong IPL 2025 season as PBKS captain
- "Iyer, Jaiswal, Siraj and Shami agar Pakistan mein hote na ye log A category mey hote," said Basit
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali was surprised with the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami from India's Asia Cup squad. The BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the continental event on Tuesday, and appointed Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the Suryakumar Yadav-led side. While Jaiswal was been named as one of the five reserves, the other three were completely overlooked by the selectors. Speaking on YouTube show Game Time, Basit said that if the quartet of Iyer, Jaiswal, Shami and Siraj played for Pakistan, they would've been part of 'A' category, highlighting the abundance of talent India have in the shortest format.
"Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami agar Pakistan mein hote na ye log A category mey hote (These would have been in Pakistan's A category)," said Basit.
Speaking particularly on Iyer's snub, Basit accused the BCCI of mistreating the player.
"Iyer ke saad jyadati ho gayi hai. Unko team mey hona chahiye (It was unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer has not been picked)," he said.
Basit also backed India to win the Asia Cup, saying that only Sri Lanka can challenge them for the title.
"They have got a very explosive squad and I think only Sri Lanka can compete with him," he added.
Shreyas' omission from the squad after a bumper Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with Punjab Kings (PBKS) as captain has sparked criticism from fans and former cricketers.
Shreyas was India's highest run-getter and overall second-highest run-getter in CT 2025, with 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60, with two fifties and a best score of 79.
He concluded his run in IPL 2025 as the sixth-highest run-getter, after garnering 604 runs in 17 matches and innings at an average of 50.33, at a strike rate of 175.07 and six fifties. His best score was 97*.
(With ANI Inputs)
India Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team
Mohammad Shami