Have former greats done enough for Pakistan cricket?

[Saj]

I had an interesting conversation with a passionate cricket follower.

He had some strong opinions but one of the most interesting things he said was that he felt that the majority of former greats have not done enough for Pakistan cricket.

The example he gave was that Imran Khan brought several young cricketers into the team and also made sure they got contracts with English Counties, yet many of the greats after him never got any of the upcoming players County deals etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Abdullah719]

A lot of former greats appear to be more interested in criticism rather than doing anything beneficial.

However, it's a two way street. If the board doesn't want former cricketers to help out then it's a different thing.

The ones who really want to do something (outside the scope of the board) will do so (some players like Rashid Latif have set up their own academies, for example).

It seems like Younis (coaching) and Misbah (administration) may continue to be involved with Pakistan cricket in future. Hopefully they can do well and set a precedent for others to follow.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Nooooo. The last Pakistani role model was Imran Khan imo.

What some of former greats gave us: Grouping, Infighting, Politics, Ego, Alleged Fixing.. The much celebrated 1990s team was involved in some/most of above things.. The generation that followed (mid 2000s) continued on that path (Oath taking episode, fighting with players and fans etc).. The generation that followed was extremely boring and made us happy with mediocrity. We were happy with quarter finals/semi finals births.

Finally this generation of 2017 CT squad is a breath of fresh air and that is why I hope they stay away from 'past legends'. I like Sarfraz and I have my reasons for it. Think he is the perfect person which our team needed.

 

[CadPakFan]

Nooooo. The last Pakistani role model was Imran Khan imo.

What some of former greats gave us: Grouping, Infighting, Politics, Ego, Alleged Fixing.. The much celebrated 1990s team was involved in some/most of above things.. The generation that followed (mid 2000s) continued on that path (Oath taking episode, fighting with players and fans etc).. The generation that followed was extremely boring and made us happy with mediocrity. We were happy with quarter finals/semi finals births.

Finally this generation of 2017 CT squad is a breath of fresh air and that is why I hope they stay away from 'past legends'. I like Sarfraz and I have my reasons for it. Think he is the perfect person which our team needed.

Great post!

 

[Sarfarazian92]

I'll always respect Waqar Younis for "trying" to contribute to Pakistan Cricket.

He didn't need to become the coach of Pakistan. He could've stuck to the less stressful jobs of IPL coaching and commentary, but he wanted to do something for his country.

 

[Suleiman]

If you try to contribute like Waqar did you get called names and hated. He did a poor job but he put in the effort unlike so many others and if he was incompetent then it speaks volumes about PCB hiring process.

Or you can... You know, not contribute like Imran Khan and still get called out for doing nothing post retirement even though you gave the world up for your country as a player.

I was gonna say it is a lose lose situation if you were/are a Pakistani player. Get paid peanuts, toil in the worst domestic circuit known to man, and even if you are a legend you won't be spared.

Look at the Aussie legends like Hayden for e.g. chilling somewhere in Tasmania koala watching, no Aussie asking where is Hayden why is he not contributing? No one cares.

It's a lose lose lose situation as pak player. That is why I don't mind us celebrating champions trophy for next 2 years.

 

[kingusama92]

This sentiment exists because former greats refuse to leave.

They remain on the fringes of cricket (analysis/criticism, commentary) when in reality it's best they took a long vacation out of sight and out of mind.

If you start saying "I would have done this instead..." on GEO Tv after every match, well you better take action and start helping directly (coaching) or indirectly (academies). Unfortunately that becomes insulting to the average great who wants a cushy, high-paying job in the PCB.

 

[Bilal7]

Inzamam ul Haq has definitely done a lot for Pakistan cricket. Same goes for Saqi and Mushi as well as Waqar and of course, Imran Khan.

 

[todfod 11]

Nooooo. The last Pakistani role model was Imran Khan imo.

What some of former greats gave us: Grouping, Infighting, Politics, Ego, Alleged Fixing.. The much celebrated 1990s team was involved in some/most of above things.. The generation that followed (mid 2000s) continued on that path (Oath taking episode, fighting with players and fans etc).. The generation that followed was extremely boring and made us happy with mediocrity. We were happy with quarter finals/semi finals births.

Finally this generation of 2017 CT squad is a breath of fresh air and that is why I hope they stay away from 'past legends'. I like Sarfraz and I have my reasons for it. Think he is the perfect person which our team needed.

gud post

 

[mak36]

I'll always respect Waqar Younis for "trying" to contribute to Pakistan Cricket.

He didn't need to become the coach of Pakistan. He could've stuck to the less stressful jobs of IPL coaching and commentary, but he wanted to do something for his country.

True. He tried to do the right things as Coach but he didn't get the support from vested interests and maybe he himself lacked the necessary coaching skill/experience. His emphasis of fitness, discipline etc. were all the right ideas, as was being strict with Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad- the implementation was the problem.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

True. He tried to do the right things as Coach but he didn't get the support from vested interests and maybe he himself lacked the necessary coaching skill/experience. His emphasis of fitness, discipline etc. were all the right ideas, as was being strict with Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad- the implementation was the problem.

Also, the players that we have in the LOI setup now are better than what Waqar had.

Waqar didn't have the luxury of a Fakhar Zaman or a Junaid in the squad, which forced him to keep on playing trash like Shehzad and Wahab.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

You can't compare our former greats' position with Imran 'The Greatest' Khan's. IK had a special presence, he had absolute control over selection policies and PCB's officials didn't have guts to undermine him. IK's example can't be applied to others.

Plus, being a Pak ex-cricketer and working Pak cricket's environment is not a very good combo. You have no bodies like the Catch-dropper-Akmal criticizing you.

 

[Saj]

With the connections some of our former players have, they should have done more for Pakistani cricketers particularly in County Cricket.

 

[hafizexpress]

Sure it's great if you do something for any sort of cricket after you retire, but imo, you do not necessarily have to do anything. Once you retire from cricket you should be free to do whatever you want which means you do not have to contribute to the sport anymore. However, that also means you can contribute, which is a good thing of course.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

If you try to contribute like Waqar did you get called names and hated. He did a poor job but he put in the effort unlike so many others and if he was incompetent then it speaks volumes about PCB hiring process.

Or you can... You know, not contribute like Imran Khan and still get called out for doing nothing post retirement even though you gave the world up for your country as a player.

I was gonna say it is a lose lose situation if you were/are a Pakistani player. Get paid peanuts, toil in the worst domestic circuit known to man, and even if you are a legend you won't be spared.

Look at the Aussie legends like Hayden for e.g. chilling somewhere in Tasmania koala watching, no Aussie asking where is Hayden why is he not contributing? No one cares.

It's a lose lose lose situation as pak player. That is why I don't mind us celebrating champions trophy for next 2 years.

pretty much this.

people love to be paid money, pampered, and taken care of when it comes to them but would want every other person to do things for "love of country/idea"

they are professionals. they owe no one anything. pay them and get their services.

freeloading ghutti main hi ja kar baith gai hai.

 

[sshakir411]

Why is there an obligation to serve the nation after you've spent your prime representing it? Why can't these great players be respected for their contributions and allowed to live there lives as they please after? If a former great wants to do something then great...but why are they questioned for not doing anything when in reality it's not their responsibility?

 

[Abdullah719]

Why is there an obligation to serve the nation after you've spent your prime representing it? Why can't these great players be respected for their contributions and allowed to live there lives as they please after? If a former great wants to do something then great...but why are they questioned for not doing anything when in reality it's not their responsibility?

I don't think the question is directed towards those who have no interest in cricket after their cricketing career, or those who have moved on.

It's more about the former cricketers who are still involved with the game of cricket in some capacity.

Of course if someone wants to move on, they're free to do as they wish. They don't have an obligation to serve PCB or the country with regards to cricket.

 

[mak36]

I don't think the question is directed towards those who have no interest in cricket after their cricketing career, or those who have moved on.

It's more about the former cricketers who are still involved with the game of cricket in some capacity.

Of course if someone wants to move on, they're free to do as they wish. They don't have an obligation to serve PCB or the country with regards to cricket.

I actually think you have conceded too much there Abdullah bhai.

At the end of the day, if a player has benefited from the cricketing fraternity when they were starting out (eg. they were helped finding a county contract), if they find themselves in a position where they could easily help the next generation (eg. using their county contacts) then I would expect them to do it. Especially when it is a pretty straightforward thing for them to do.

 

[Abdullah719]

I actually think you have conceded too much there Abdullah bhai.

At the end of the day, if a player has benefited from the cricketing fraternity when they were starting out (eg. they were helped finding a county contract), if they find themselves in a position where they could easily help the next generation (eg. using their county contacts) then I would expect them to do it. Especially when it is a pretty straightforward thing for them to do.

That's right, it's a pretty straightforward thing if one has contacts and it might happen behind the scenes so we might not even know if it happened.

I guess I'm referring to things on a larger scale such as getting involved with coaching or administration.

Even punditry can have its benefits but I am not fond of ex-players who only constantly whine about what is wrong without providing potential solutions.

 

[mak36]

That's right, it's a pretty straightforward thing if one has contacts and it might happen behind the scenes so we might not even know if it happened.

I guess I'm referring to things on a larger scale such as getting involved with coaching or administration.

Even punditry can have its benefits but I am not fond of ex-players who only constantly whine about what is wrong without providing potential solutions.

In that case, we are in agreement.

 

[MMHS]

I think, shortly after Imran left cricket, PCA forced ECB (TCCB) to change their rule regarding foreign participation; therefore scope for former greats narrowed down considerably, when it comes to County opportunity. Eventually, it was supposed to happen & PCB can't leave it to Counties to do their job till eternity.

Apart from that, I think Latif, Ajmal & Moin has developed academy, while Basit & few others have gone to coaching. Number of educated cricketer has reduced drastically in PAK since 80s, therefore not many recent retired cricketers are actually capable to handle administration. Finally, there is a common belief that, former greats should work for free, for the love of the flag & they should pay back to country for what they are now, while PCB officials can tour in first class accommodation with family, for such great jobs they are doing at PCB - I actually don't agree with the idea. If PCB is to avail Saqline's service - there should be a price, which can't & shouldn't be less than what ECB is paying him. If Saqui accepts something lower, that's his greatness, not PCB's bargain.

 

[UN talkz]

No former player shud be forced to do anything for the team.... but if u keep on criticising the team 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week on news channels.... when a guy keeps criticising a team even when they are winning in a global tournament like CT than one really needs to question why the hell these guys just keep whining and do nothing.