Pakistan's Cricket Crisis.

Cricket fans across Pakistan are disheartened by the team’s decline, which raises serious questions about their mental and physical preparedness.

Shabbir Hussain Imam

The most recent test series of Pakistan and Bangladesh has roused a lot of debate among fans of cricket. Nobody thought that Pakistan would be cleaned and swept in its own backyard and the extent of this series loss is phenomenal. It is for the first time in the history of 7 decades that Pakistan cricket has been subjected to such a morale-lowering defeat. This series is being termed as one of the worst losses in the nation’s cricketing history and these are the obvious impacts.

The issues started way before the series began and continued on in those years. Their tour in Bangladesh was in danger because there were domestic disturbances which affected their practice sessions. Contrary to this, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to show sympathy towards the Bangladeshi Cricket team, proposed to the Team Bangladesh to arrive in Pakistan a couple of days before the scheduled date of the first match. Despite these difficulties, Bangladesh displayed a rather robust performance.

The problems that exist in the Pakistan side on the other hand are many and are fundamental in nature. The great fast bowlers that were once a reason for fear like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar look long gone. However, the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah still remains promising but a shocking factor has been their fitness. Of the name special mentions must be made of Mir Hamza, a bowler who has been in good form and whose absence raised eyebrows when he was not included in the team that was to participate in the first test match. A spearhead from Khurram Shahzad of 26 runs in the second test allowed the team to secure six wickets but was still unable to perform in getting enough runs which made the condition of the teams weaker.

Pakistan’s spin department is also in trouble. There has been no joy for Abrar Ahmed, and it seems a decision not to select Nauman Ali for the team is not ideal. It is now up to the PCB to come up with serious measures on how to do away with such occurrences. Perhaps, the same can be done with the help of some known former spinners including Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Saeed Ajmal. Earlier we dominated spin-friendly pitches at home — this art needs to be repeated.

There is also some trouble with the batting lineup. Abdullah Shafiq showed early on that he was talented, but he seemed to have faltered. A lot of emphasis should be placed on this and if the players are not delivering then it is time to look for new talent. Overall, Saim Ayub has come up with the promise, however, he is required to deliver big innings where he plays. Shan Masood, who has newly been groomed as a captain, has not so a good start. It may be because the added responsibility is somehow interfering with his work output.

Mahmood noted that the formidable batting lineup which was once Pakistan’s pride, is now appearing to have a weakness. Babar Azam’s form is particularly important if Pakistan is to contend with teams of the caliber of England. Saud Shakeel carried forward his good start but he has not been able to continue the same form. Mohammad Rizwan looks dominant early in the innings but every time gets out at the wrong time. Another important point to increase them is establishing good and strong relationships with tail-enders. There is also the need for him to up his game especially Salman Ali Agha who has not been such a force as expected this season.

The batting aspect of the team has been passive in nature where the team players try to save their wickets more than they try to earn runs. Unfortunately, this strategy worked in reverse in the first Test where the innings was declared on 448 for 9. Maybe, an attempt was made to get a higher score that might have made the difference.

Perhaps overconfidence was the main reason for this: Jason Gillespie is one of the youngest heads in football and has taken up this job at a very wrong time but he needs time to transform his ideas. It should also be the practice in the PCB to provide chances to the performers of domestic cricket as Huraira was left.

The essence of cricket is that a majority of Pakistan fans of cricket are disappointed. Concerns are provoked about the psychological and the physical state of the team which seems to be on the decline. These issues should be remedied and there must be hope for improvement. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel especially if the team management can work hard and regain the past achievements.

Ends.

Cricket Now