ISLAMABAD, SEP 18 (DNA) : In 1994, Pakistan boasted a world-champion cricket team, a world champion field hockey team and the ‘number one’ squash player in the world. It has been a steep fall since. In hockey, Pakistan did not even qualify for the Olympics in 2020 (held in 21) or 2024.
In squash, there is not a single Pakistani player in the top 50 of the PSA rankings, and we all know the story in cricket. I have not followed hockey or squash for many years and hence cannot pretend to have enough knowledge to suggest any solution. But having played and followed cricket for over 50 years, I feel qualified enough to offer some opinions.
There is an excellent article by Osman Samiuddin on ESPN Cricinfo as to how the recent turmoil at the Pakistan Cricket Board — a turbulent organisation at the best of times — has set back Pakistan cricket even more than normal. If I were the chairman of the PCB (and I’m quite thankful I’m not), I would adopt a short-term strategy to stop the current bleeding and a long-term strategy to return Pakistan to belonging in the cricket world.
In the short term, you cannot replace a Test captain when you have a series against England (probably the strongest test side after Australia and India) and an away series against South Africa (the toughest place for sub-continental sides to tour after Australia), it would simply be unfair for a new captain.
You cannot also replace your [one day international] ODI captain, so close to difficult tours to Australia and the Champions trophy. So instead of focusing on replacing captains, focus on how you can incrementally strengthen the current side. Two areas where we desperately need improvement are in the bowling-all-rounder spot (for both the red-ball and white-ball sides), where Aamir Jamal had shown some promise until fitness issues hit. Players need to be identified for this role, I have names but that’s not the point here. You need to identify this as a source of weakness and address it.
The second is the spinner role in Test cricket. Name one country where a “mystery spinner” is the main test spinner? None. These spinners are a white ball phenomenon and that’s where they belong.
Test matches require orthodox spin. I could go into a long explanation as to why, but again in the interest of time and space I will table that for another time.
So much for the short run. In the long run:
1. The first step has to be to return the PCB to a version of the 2019 Constitution, so that political interference can be minimised. For Pakistan to remain competitive in cricket the chairman of the PCB cannot be a political appointee and if he is, it cannot be anything other than a ceremonial post.
2. Sound financial footing for the PCB. For now, the amount of money received from the [International Cricket Council] ICC should be enough to sustain a competitive cricket structure in the country, but over the long run, this must be supplemented by PSL, TV Rights and other forms of revenue (which are minimal right now because Pakistan Cricket is not a good product, but consistent on-field success will change that).
3. A proper, competitive domestic season with distinct windows for red ball and white ball cricket, played on grounds of international quality. If it is not fit enough to host an international side (even in a tour game) it should not be allowed to host a first-class game. The current concept of having a year-round domestic season is a disaster in my view.
4. Proper fitness training at all levels of the game from juniors to senior cricket.
5. Regular Under-19 and A team engagements.
6. Proper medical support (physical and mental) both at the international and domestic level.
Even with these steps, overnight success may not be forthcoming, but if we start planning from today, who knows an Olympic medal in cricket may be forthcoming in the 2028 Games.
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