Basit Ali Criticizes Pitch Curator Tony Hemming
Former cricketer Basit Ali has criticized Pakistan’s pitch curator, Tony Hemming, for his inability to prepare a suitable pitch for the second Test in Multan. In the first Test against England, Pakistan suffered a significant defeat by an innings and 47 runs. The pitch did not favor spinners, with England’s Shoaib Bashir taking only one wicket and Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed going wicketless. Basit Ali questioned Hemming’s expertise, comparing it to India’s pitch preparation strategies.
Pakistan’s Struggles on the Pitch
Under the intense heat in Multan, Pakistan’s spinners struggled, with Abrar Ahmed conceding 174 runs without taking a wicket. Basit Ali expressed his disappointment, stating that despite Hemming’s experience, he failed to prepare a pitch that would assist spinners. He highlighted the importance of having a curator who understands pitch preparation, using India as an example of effective pitch management.
Expectations for the Second Test
For the second Test, Pakistan has named a spin-heavy playing XI, hoping for better conditions for their spinners. The teams for the match are as follows:
| Pakistan Playing XI | England Playing XI |
|---|---|
| Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood | Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir |
Doubts Revealed
Basit Ali -: Basit Ali is a former Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team. He is known for his expertise in cricket and often shares his opinions on the game.
Pitch Curator -: A pitch curator is a person responsible for preparing and maintaining the cricket pitch. The pitch is the central strip of the cricket field where the game is played, and its condition can greatly affect the outcome of a match.
Tony Hemming -: Tony Hemming is the person responsible for preparing the cricket pitch in Multan, Pakistan. He is being criticized for not making a pitch that suits the strengths of the Pakistani team.
Multan -: Multan is a city in Pakistan where the second Test match between Pakistan and England is being played. It is known for its historical sites and is an important location for cricket matches.
Spinners -: Spinners are a type of bowler in cricket who use their fingers or wrists to spin the ball, making it difficult for batsmen to play. A pitch that favors spinners helps these bowlers perform better.
Shan Masood -: Shan Masood is a Pakistani cricketer who plays as a batsman. He is one of the key players in the team for the second Test match against England.
Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is an English cricketer known for his all-round abilities, meaning he is good at both batting and bowling. He is a key player for England in the Test match against Pakistan.