Oh, Nottingham!!

We have no talent and what happened in Nottingham has just proved that is totally wrong assumption to start with. Nottingham was on the cards; sooner or later, it was meant to happen. Mind you, it will happen again as the game has changed but not our approach towards it. Cricket now a day is not just a talent based game but it also asks for you to have the skills to play it. We survived the 90's and for the most part of the 2000's mainly because we had a bunch of talented guys, who on their own could win matches for Pakistan. In the 2015 world cup, it was clearly evident that Pakistan team especially our batting lacked the fire power or the required skill set to pace their innings. In the times when the batsmen were scoring individual double centuries, all of Pakistan’s batting was facing difficulties in posting a mere 200 on the score board. Cricket has changed and the process of change expedited with the advent of these T20 leagues. These leagues are competitive and pool international talent. Above all, these leagues provide the younger lot with a chance to have a taste of international cricket. Thus, resultantly, the gap between the domestic and the international cricket is bridged. This provided the teams with bench strength and players with playing experience in different conditions.

Pakistan has not always been the follower; it was Pakistan that laid the foundation of the modern day batting. If one remembers it was Pakistan that successfully introduced the late order baton charge in the 1992 world cup. The idea was to save wickets for the first 40 overs and then accelerate in the last 10 overs. To execute the plan, Pakistan had Inzimam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan. The semifinal and the final of the 1992 world cup were the practical examples of the above mentioned strategy. Unfortunately, the game has evolved since then but not Pakistan. We are still playing the game with the mindset of the 90’s. It is like the world has reached moon and we are still finding our sleepers.

Although, Pakistan has introduced a league of their own, namely Pakistan Super League; whose first edition successfully took place in the UAE this year but still it will take some time for Pakistan to reap the fruits of the PSL. However it is not only the PSL that will elevate Pakistan’s performance in the shorter formats of the game. Some other steps are also required to be taken like the overhauling of the domestic structure. Not only the quality of the game has to be improved but also steps should be taken to improve the other aspects of the game such as quality of pitches and balls, coaching, and fitness of the players. Our domestic system fails to polish the players and turn them into a final product. So they have to play international cricket to bring themselves at par with the international players. Now a day’s cricket is so fast that you don’t get the time to do so. Now it is imperative for the players to be physically and mentally ready to play cricket at the international level from the start otherwise you do not stand a chance. Even if you get lucky once or twice, your opponents will work you out and upon failing again and again, you will be dropped so, you have to continuously evolve as a cricketer. Not only this, PCB should arrange more and more A tours so, that the players can get the exposure. The national team should visit England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia more often as by playing cricket with these teams in alien conditions will surely improve the standard of our cricket team. Pakistan is now world Number One ranked side in test cricket, it will be easier for PCB to convince these boards. The top three batsmen, bowlers and fielders of the domestic circuit should be sent to Australia, South Africa and England, so that they have the experience of playing in those conditions. With no cricket at home, it is difficult for PCB to bear such expense but they can always find sponsors for it. Cricket is the hottest brand in Pakistan therefore hopefully PCB will not face much difficulty in finding sponsors. It is high time now that we invest in our regional cricket. Departmental cricket is good as it gives the all-important money to the players. The same departments can sponsor or adopt the regional teams. Now, local governments are in place in KPK and Sindh, PCB should collaborate with them in establishing grounds and basic cricketing facilities for youngsters. Reviving school, college and university cricket will also benefit.

It is for the PCB to understand that the buck stops at PCB. It is for them to understand that their job does not end with selecting or sending a team. There is more to their job description but regrettably they are not doing it. If all this will continue to happen then there are more Nottinghams for us in store.