Babar Azam returned to captaincy for the third time. Picture: AFP
KARACHI:
“What’s the rating?”
“What rating? Is there a match happening?”
“Sure, Pakistan vs West Indies.”
“I don’t know, man. I’ve stopped watching cricket. They don’t win anyway, so what’s the purpose?”
It is a dialog between two pals in Karachi, however it displays the mindset of the whole nation. We don’t even understand how far behind we’ve fallen in cricket. Within the ICC world Take a look at Championship, there are 9 groups, and the Inexperienced Caps are on the very backside. Not too long ago, the eighth-ranked West Indies aspect defeated us within the first Take a look at. Earlier than that, we had already misplaced to Bangladesh. The place is our cricket heading?
If this continues, we might quickly face the identical destiny as hockey. As an alternative of addressing the true points, how lengthy will we preserve following the coverage of “simply change the captain”? Even for those who make Ricky Ponting the captain, he gained’t be capable of ship constant victories. The true issues should be recognized. Are deserving gamers getting alternatives?
Babar Azam did himself an injustice by accepting captaincy. After this latest defeat, he shall be beneath much more stress. His batting within the second innings clearly confirmed that he was enjoying for himself relatively than the group. Taking a single on the primary ball and exposing the tailenders, what sort of bravery is that? He ought to have saved extra strike. He ought to thank Abbas for exhibiting braveness; in any other case, even reaching 100 runs appeared unlikely.
Sure, defeat appeared inevitable, however the captain ought to have proven struggle by means of his strategy. Maybe constructing partnerships with tailenders may have improved the state of affairs. The principle situation with our group is that too many batters go right into a defensive shell. Shan Masood was the one participant who performed aggressively, however now his finger is fractured, and he might not even play the subsequent match.
The primary Take a look at was performed at Brian Lara Stadium. A participant like Brian Lara, who scored 400 in a Take a look at and 500 in first-class cricket, have to be questioning how his title is being disgraced. Our batters ought to have drawn inspiration from him.
A group goes in with 5 specialist bowlers when its prime order is world-class. Do we’ve any Bradmans? In consequence, after early wickets fell, there was nobody to stabilize the batting line. Rizwan dropped possibilities in wicketkeeping and dissatisfied with the bat as nicely. Maybe it’s time to give Ghazi Ghori an opportunity.
Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Agha additionally want to indicate consistency. Abbas’s efficiency was the one optimistic of the match. He’s typically criticized for his age and tempo, however he continues to carry out higher than others. Shaheen Afridi was dropped on account of decreased velocity, however are the present pacers bowling at Shoaib Akhtar’s tempo?
Earlier than the tour, a protracted coaching camp was held, however it has proven no profit thus far. As an alternative, gamers have develop into fatigued. Abdullah Fazal suffered a again damage. Hopefully, different gamers stay match. It will have been higher to ship some gamers to the USA for coaching, however some PCB officers intentionally delayed issues, ruining a great plan.
We’re nonetheless dwelling within the 90s,calling gamers at 5 AM and exhausting them. Occasions have modified. Coaching ought to be modernized. It’s shameful that Pakistan hasn’t gained a single match overseas in three years and has suffered eight consecutive defeats. Our gamers are nowhere to be seen in rankings. Our greatest star, Babar Azam, hasn’t scored a Take a look at century in 4 years.
How will all this enhance?
We herald international coaches considering they are going to keep away from politics, however it’s mentioned that white-ball coach Mike Hesson has additionally adopted native politics, and his “greatest buddy” is Aaqib Javed. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s begin as Take a look at coach hasn’t been good both. The previous captain has already been eliminated. If defeats proceed, the coach can even be sacrificed however will that convey enchancment?
Our younger cricketers are additionally not assembly expectations. After one or two good innings, they fail. Nonetheless, when senior gamers are given 4 years to regain kind, new gamers additionally deserve constant alternatives.
In the intervening time, we’re not producing world-class cricketers from first-class cricket. The explanations have to be recognized. Real quick bowlers ought to be discovered and regularly launched. Batters want to grasp that this isn’t Eighties cricket the place you simply block balls aggression can also be essential.
We want actual all-rounders, not simply in title. It’s mentioned that taking 20 wickets in Take a look at cricket makes successful simpler, however Pakistan proved that incorrect at Brian Lara Stadium.Cricket was the one supply of leisure for the nation, and now it too is in decline.
The problems have to be resolved shortly. Former cricketers who’ve been given duties within the board aren’t proving profitable, so as an alternative of adjusting the captain, such people ought to be changed. The authorities should take a front-foot strategy and assess whether or not the group they belief is definitely succesful or not. We have to save Pakistan cricket, and for that, powerful choices have to be made.