Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali advised Shan Masood ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh which is set to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi.
The Test matches will be played as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 as both teams are eager to perform and strengthen their position on the WTC points table.
This will be Masood’s second series as Pakistan’s captain as his first assignment as red-ball skipper was against Australia last year.
Basit has shared his thoughts ahead of the series that Masood should change his batting number, and promote himself to the opening position as it will suit him and Pakistan more.
"Shan Masood sahab, stop playing at No. 3. When I saw you for the first time, I gave you the advice that the bat's length should be long. Today, I am giving you the advice to stop playing at No. 3. You should open the batting in all three formats. If you come at No. 3, you will harm yourself and Pakistan," Basit Ali said.
Masood held a presser on Sunday where he discussed his time with Yorkshire and opened up about the experience of playing with the Kookaburra ball in some County matches.
However, Basit believes that Pakistan’s skipper should keep his focus on the issues that lie within the national team rather than comparing things with Yorkshire.
"He gave an example of Yorkshire in his press conference. He spoke about how rain is a factor there, and Joe Root and Harry Brook are also part of that team. I just want to say two things to Shan Masood. You are the captain of Pakistan, not Yorkshire," Basit said.
"Do not give their example; give examples of players of your country. Speak about how you have players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Give your example. Don't give the example of the Kookaburra ball because there is a big difference in our pitches and their [England's] pitches.”
