KARACHI: According to a Mumbai-based online tabloid, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed displeasure over former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali’s comments during the recently-concluded World Cup that “India would deliberately lose” to certain teams.

Mumbai Mirror has further reported that the PCB had conveyed to the ex-batsman that he would not be a part of the PCB’s coaching staff. The 48-year-old was recently serving as the chairman of the junior selection committee.

Basit Ali had made these remarks during a TV programme, when Pakistan needed India to beat the teams to strengthen their chance to qualify for the semi-finals. The former cricketer had suspected that India would advertently lose matches so that Pakistan could not qualify for the semi-finals.

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“India have played five matches and they would never want Pakistan to qualify (for semis). I personally think that Pakistan should focus on New Zealand match tomorrow. India would play in such a manner that nobody could realize their intention,” he had said adding that cricket was no more a by chance game. He had also alleged that New Zealand lost to Pakistan in 1992. He had said even Imran (Khan) Bhai would say the same that it was no more a by chance game.

The Indian website claimed that PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani told that the board had communicated to him its displeasure about his unsubstantiated comments during the World Cup. Mani said he was not an employee of the PCB and the board’s point had been clarified to him.

On the other hand, Basit Ali said he had not received any letter from the board, nor any notice. He said it was obvious how India played against England and Sourav Ganguly and Waqar Younis had also raised questions on their performance.

India, specially wicketkeeper MS Dhoni, were criticized for playing slow at the time when they needed fast score.