Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali stated that he feels that Pakistan domestic cricket is being turned into a shambles by the PCB and is heading backwards, rather than forwards.

"The Quaid E Azam trophy competition which is supposed to be Pakistan's premier competition is fast becoming a waste of time and is being devalued, just like so much of Pakistan's domestic cricket" stated Basit.

"First and foremost the cricket balls that are being used in domestic cricket should be the same as those used in international cricket. The Kookaburra balls should be compulsory from junior cricket right through to first class cricket. What is the point of playing domestic cricket with an inferior ball and one that is so different to that used in international cricket. Why not use the same ball that is used at international level so that the boys are used to that cricket ball when they get the chance at international cricket" stated Basit.

Basit who was one of the selectors that picked the title winning Twenty/20 World Cup squad further added "I've seen a lot of domestic cricket this season and it's been a huge disappointment. I have watched young fast bowlers who are supposed to be on the brink of the international team ambling to the crease and bowling well within themselves and to very defensive fields. What are they saving themselves for, surely they should be looking to bowl with full effort and to impress everyone. Are they saving themsleves for test cricket? It's not been very impressive at all".

Basit feels that there needs to be a revamp of the domestic setup in Pakistan with departments playing entirely separately from association teams. "You need to have fewer domestic teams playing in a two tier competition where the best of the departmental teams are playing against each other whilst the association teams play in the second tier of domestic cricket".

Responding to a question about Mohammad Sami's callup for Australia Basit stated "What is the incentive for players who perform well in domestic cricket and then get totally ignored. There are bowlers in domestic cricket who have twice the number of wickets that Mohammad Sami has achieved but have not been selected or even mentioned for the tour of Australia. I have nothing against Sami, as he is a friend of mine, but what is the point of performing well in domestic cricket if you are going to get continually ignored. I guess it's a situation where Yousuf, Abdul Raqeeb, Intikhab and Kamran Akmal wnated Sami in Australia and that is what is happening".

Basit continued "I was surprised at Misbah ul Haq being recalled for the tour of New Zealand. I'm led to believe that he was recalled due to his domestic performances. As far as I am aware he only made one decent score in domestic cricket this season. I really don't see the connection between domestic performances and international selection".