Chairman Junior Selection Committee Basit Ali has said that it is wrong to portray Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the main reason behind rise of young cricketers.

While speaking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Ali said that under-19 level cricket has a lot to do with youngsters currently playing for Pakistan.     

“It is wrong to say that PSL was the reason behind rise of young cricketers because the credit for that lies with under-19 level,” said Ali. “The likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Rohail Nazir and many others came through junior levels. But no one brings forward the name of under-19 in this regard as if they are afraid or ashamed about it.”

Ali was also unhappy over lack of matches at junior levels — despite it playing an important role in growth of young cricketers.

 “The lack of matches at junior level is not helping us in terms of progress,” he said. “Their entire focus is on senior team and PSL although they must realise that we also need adequate amount of matches at lower level in order for young players to thrive.”

He also voiced concerns about lack of good batsmen coming through from youth level cricket.

“I’m concerned about the lack of batsmen in junior levels. They do just fine as long as they are playing under-13 and 16 cricket but as soon as they shift to under-19, they don’t have the same approach and temperament in their batting” he said.

The 47-year-old also brushed aside the notion that his selections involved bias by stating: “Sons of Inzamam, Misbahul Haq and Moin Khan have all played at junior levels but their fathers have never intervened in my decisions regarding their selection.”

Ali also admitted his mistake regarding slapping former cricketer Mahmood Hamid: “Slapping a cricketer was my mistake. I was unwell and angry which is why that incident happened.”

He also reiterated his statement about Javed Miandad, Mudassar Nazar and Mushtaq Mohammad having a better understanding of cricket as compared to — cricketer-turned-politician and now Prime Minister Pakistan — Imran Khan.

“I never said anything against Imran Khan. I always said he is not dishonest. I am still saying Miandad, Nazar and Mushtaq understand cricket better then Imran. Although he is a great decision maker and was not afraid of defeat,” he said.

Ali also backed wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as captain of national side by saying: “There should be no debate about Sarfraz’s captaincy. I was aksed this question before as well but I think there is little point in talking about this matter.”