Former Pakistan star urges cricket to cut politics
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali on Tuesday warned world cricket against growing political influence, urging administrators to keep the sport free from non-sporting agendas amid ongoing debates over international fixtures and hosting rights. Speaking to local media in Pakistan, Ali said cricket risks losing its spirit if decisions continue to be shaped outside the field.
“Cricket should unite nations, not divide them,” Ali said. “Politics should be eradicated from the game completely if we want it to grow.” He added that players often become collateral damage, noting that several high-profile series have been affected despite fan demand.
Ali, who played 19 Tests and 30 ODIs for Pakistan, stressed that neutral venues and administrative disputes are hurting competitiveness. “Fans want to see strong teams playing each other, not excuses,” he said. “Administrators must think about cricket first.”
The comments come as global cricket bodies face pressure over scheduling and tournament hosting, with Ali concluding, “If politics keeps interfering, world cricket will suffer in the long run.”