'Shreyas, Yashasvi, Siraj, Shami would have been in Pakistan's A category' - Ex-Pakistan batter empathises with India's Asia Cup 2025 discards

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali feels that the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami missing out on spots in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad show how much talent there is in the country. Ali asserted that these four players would have been in the 'A' category had they been players of the Pakistan team.

Shreyas and Yashasvi were reportedly in line to be picked for India's Asia Cup squad. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel decided to recall Shubman Gill and pick Shivam Dube in the middle-order as a seam-bowling all-rounder. With these two players getting the nod, Jaiswal had to be content with a spot among the reserves. Iyer, on the other hand, was completely overlooked.

In the pace-bowling department, India picked the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. The experienced duo of Siraj and Shami were ignored.

"Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami agar Pakistan mein hote na ye log A category mey hote (These would have been in Pakistan's A category)," said Basit while speaking on YouTube show Game Time.

Speaking particularly on Iyer, who led Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final earlier this year, Basit inculpated the BCCI of mistreating the player.

"Iyer ke saad jyadati ho gayi hai. Unko team mey hona chahiye (It was unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer has not been picked)," he said.

The Mumbai batter finished sixth on the list of highest run-scorers in IPL 2025. In 17 innings, he amassed 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07.

Only Sri Lanka can compete with India: Basit Ali

Basit also backed the Men in Blue to go the distance in the Asia Cup, saying that only Sri Lanka can challenge them for the title.

"They have got a very explosive squad, and I think only Sri Lanka can compete with him," the cricketer-turned-expert stated.

India find themselves placed in Group B along with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side begin their campaign on September 10, when they take on the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.