Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has lashed out at the former batting coach Grant Flower for making false allegations against the legendary Test batsman Younis Khan.
Recently, former Zimbabwe cricketer Flower, who had been Pakistan’s batting coach between 2014 and 2019, called Younis a “tough character” in the Pakistan dressing room and alleged that former captain had once held a knife to his throat when he tried to offer him some advice during Australia tour.
Read Also: PCB source clarifies that Younis Khan had jokingly waved a knife in face of Grant Flower
Flower, the current Sri Lankan batting coach, narrated the incident on the ‘Following On Cricket Podcast’, “Younis Khan… quite tough to master. Obviously, a brilliant career. I remember one incident in Brisbane, during the Test, at breakfast I tried to give him a bit of batting advice, not that my career was anywhere near his regarding stats, as he is the highest scorer in Pakistan Test cricket.”
He further added, “But he didn’t take kindly to my advice and brought a knife to my throat, with Mickey Arthur sitting alongside, who had to intervene. Yeah, it’s been interesting. But that’s part of coaching. It makes it a hell of a journey, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am.”
Reacting to Flower’s accusation on his YouTube Channel, Basit has condemned Zimbabwean for making such frivolous allegations against one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen, saying he should think twice before dishing out such a statement.
Ali said on Friday (July 3): “There is a statement that has come out from Grant Flower about Younis Khan. I feel he has given this statement very quickly. I feel he should think which person, which player he is talking about, who has scored 10000 runs for Pakistan.”
The former batsman further added, “Pakistan cricket is not that bad that coaches like Grant Flower give suggestions to Younis Khan. It was his [Younis] greatness that he used to listen to him [Flower] and even used to credit him in press conferences.”
He also called Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for action against Flower for giving out such statements. The former international further said, “Statements like this are not good for our nation's cricket and PCB should take action. Because Younis Khan is one of our greatest cricketers and I felt very sad.”
Basit also recalled an incident when he himself had an argument with Flower over his coaching methods. He signed off by saying, “This happened in NCA Lahore when I was part of the junior selection committee. Flower was giving practice to a Test match opener with the white ball. I was observing and went and asked him if he was doing preparation for ODIs and he replied that it was for Test matches.”
(With Sportskeeda/Indian Express Inputs)
