"T20 will destroy cricket" - Basit Ali worried over game's future after two more key New Zealand players decline central contract

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali reckons the growing popularity of T20 and franchise leagues will destroy cricket and prove to be a poison for players in the traditional mold. He made the grim prediction while reacting to the news of New Zealand cricketers Devon Conway and Finn Allen opting out of central contracts.

On Thursday, August 15, news reports confirmed that the Kiwi pair of Conway and Allen had declined central contracts to explore better opportunities in franchise leagues. While Conway has opted for a casual playing contract over the next 12 months, Allen will be available for selection for New Zealand on a case-by-case basis.

On his YouTube channel, Basit opined that the issue of players giving up central contracts is not restricted to New Zealand alone and will affect other cricket nations as well; India being an exception. He commented:

"Conway has said that he will not play the Sri Lanka series. This is not New Zealand’s issue alone. In times to come, other teams will also face a similar situation. Pakistan players will do this as well. This is because so much money has come into franchise cricket. There is phobia over franchise leagues. India is very lucky in this matter. They don’t play T20 tournaments other than the IPL."

Raising serious concerns over the future of international cricket in the wake of growing instances of players choosing franchise leagues and money over national duty, the 53-year-old added:

"T20 is not going to stop, but will destroy cricket, Test cricket in particular. For solid batters, who play the long innings, this is poison. Barring India, many more countries will suffer due to T20 cricket. Money will win, cricket will lose."

Before Conway and Allen, senior batter Kane Williamson and seasoned pacer Trent Boult had also given up their central contracts.

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What Devon Conway said about his decision to give up central contract to play in T20 leagues

Senior Kiwi batter Conway has declined a central playing contract and has taken a casual playing contract for the next 12 months so that he can feature in SA20 at the start of next year. The 33-year-old, though, asserted that he remains hugely passionate about playing for New Zealand.

“The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time.

"Playing for the Black Caps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket," the left-hander was quoted as saying by ICC's official website.

Conway has the experience of 20 Tests, 32 ODIs and 50 T20Is. In his T20 career, he has played 187 matches and scored over 6028 runs at an average of 42.15 and a strike rate of 129.05.