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'...Has Lifted Champions Trophy Vs India': Basit Ali Wants Sarfaraz Ahmed As New Mentor

Aakash Saini

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Basit Ali [Source: @ICC/x, @BasitAliShow/YouTube]Sarfaraz Ahmed and Basit Ali [Source: @ICC/x, @BasitAliShow/YouTube]

Former cricketer Basit Ali has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to appoint former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the team’s new mentor for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Notably, Sarfaraz also led the ‘Men in Green’ to its first and only Champions Trophy title by defeating arch-rivals India in the final of the 2017 edition of the tournament.

Sarfaraz, aged 37, recently ended his near-decade long association with the Quetta Gladiators franchise shortly after the PSL 2025 player’s draft. As it turned out, the cricketer is also in contention to become the head coach of the Gladiators group after the exit of Shane Watson.

Sarfaraz Ahmed backed by Basit Ali to mentor PAK

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been endorsed to become the mentor of the national cricket team by Basit Ali. The former cricketer said that Ahmed’s mentorship will be crucial for Pakistan’s prospects in the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, especially during the high-stakes match against arch-rivals India.

He said:

“Afghanistan appointed Younis Khan as a mentor, which is a great choice. In Pakistan, it seems people, including the board, are asleep. Against India, you need someone who has won you the Champions Trophy before: Sarfaraz Ahmed. In this match, Sarfaraz’s suggestions will be invaluable. He knows how to handle pressure and has already lifted the trophy against them. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else.”

Reportedly, Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been considered to take up the head coach gig for the Quetta Gladiators franchise after Shane Watson opted out of the role due to ‘personal reasons.’

Nonetheless, the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to launch on February 19 with a match between New Zealand and tournament co-hosts Pakistan in Karachi. The ‘Men in Green’ will subsequently travel to Dubai to face arch-rivals India at the city’s Dubai International Stadium on February 23.