“Australia ko bhi darr baith gaya hai” - Former Pakistan cricketer analyses Pat Cummins’ side ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has given his insights on the Australian team ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test. The hosts will aim to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and improve their qualification chances for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.

India won the first Test in Perth while Australia bounced back in Adelaide. The third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw, courtesy of multiple rain interruptions.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali suggested that the hosts will be worried about their WTC final qualification chances, given the series is tied 1-1 at the moment.

"Australia ko bhi darr baith gaya hai ke agar hum yeh wala match haare toh hum bhi WTC ke final se bahar ho jayenge (Australia are now scared about the possibility that they might bow out of the race to WTC final if they lose in Melbourne)," he said (via The Times of India).

The Pat Cummins-led side will play two Tests in Sri Lanka next year. Basit said Sri Lanka are a dangerous team at home and the Australians will not have it easy.

"They have two Tests in Sri Lanka (in January-February), which won't be easy at all. Sri Lanka is a very dangerous team in their home conditions," Ali added.

Talking about Australia's batting, Basit said only Travis Head is in form. He added that the other batters will have to step up.

"Otherwise, if you see Australia's batting as well, they have just one batter (Travis Head) who is in form, even though Steve Smith too has scored a century...But now it's the turn of others, be it (Marnus) Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, (Usman) Khawaja," he concluded.

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"India's best chance to win" - Basit Ali ahead of Australia vs India 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

India managed to pull off a draw in the third Test at The Gabba against Australia to hold the series 1-1. Basit Ali believes India have momentum on their side going into the fourth Test in Melbourne.

"Melbourne will offer the best wicket (compared to the ones used in three earlier Tests). It will be India's best chance to win," he reckoned in the same video.

The former cricketer said India have the better chance but their batters will have to put up a better performance to put Australia under pressure.

"India have a better chance because they have the momentum after saving the follow-on (in the Brisbane Test). Cricket-wise they have the momentum, but in Melbourne if their batters make the same mistake like they did in Adelaide and Brisbane, then India will face problems," he added.