How can Pakistan overcome the challenge of not frequently playing against the top 5 teams?

[Savak]

As i had feared, the number of wins we had racked up against the likes of Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the C teams of South Africa, Australia in the last 6 months had created a false sense of expectation about this team being remotely competitive in the world cup. When it really mattered, the team has lost 4 consecutive T-20 games against India and was hammered 4-1 in New Zealand this year.

You would hope the PSL would play the role that IPL does for Indian cricket i.e. enabling Indian players to rub shoulders with the best international foreign players, coaches, ex legends in the dug out and given the $million paydays at stake, pressurize them to upskill or be dropped, but the PSL is not doing that role, i for the most part see bhaichara, dosti yaari dominating the team selections and culture.

What can the PCB, Pakistani players do to get some quality competitive exposure? Should the PCB offer to pay the ECB, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket Board or South African Cricket Board some extra dough to ensure they send their best squad of 15 whenever they play Pakistan? Link NOC approvals to sending strong playing elevens in Pakistan?

Something has to be done. For far too long we enter ICC tournaments with hype after having been on a winning streak against weak associate teams or C-D Big 5 teams only to get brutally exposed against the big boys on the big stage.

 

[RidiculousMan]

A pep talk by Mr. Chairman in all these teams dressing room?

 

[SportsWarrior]

All bilateral series are dependent on relationship between boards. ICC has nothing neither can BCCI influence them. Just make it a point to build better relationships with other boards and tour them during non IPL time

 

[Savak]

All bilateral series are dependent on relationship between boards. ICC has nothing neither can BCCI influence them. Just make it a point to build better relationships with other boards and tour them during non IPL time

Don't think this is just relationship based alone. Countries like Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa rest their big players from touring Pakistan under the pre-text of workload management, maybe the players themselves don't want to tour Pakistan either. PCB needs to think creatively about the problem i.e. Offer to pay extra out of pocket to these boards, or players to tour Pakistan, link NOC's for the leagues with selecting strong squads of 15 to play in Pakistan e.t.c.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

As i had feared, the number of wins we had racked up against the likes of Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the C teams of South Africa, Australia in the last 6 months had created a false sense of expectation about this team being remotely competitive in the world cup. When it really mattered, the team has lost 4 consecutive T-20 games against India and was hammered 4-1 in New Zealand this year.

You would hope the PSL would play the role that IPL does for Indian cricket i.e. enabling Indian players to rub shoulders with the best international foreign players, coaches, ex legends in the dug out and given the $million paydays at stake, pressurize them to upskill or be dropped, but the PSL is not doing that role, i for the most part see bhaichara, dosti yaari dominating the team selections and culture.

What can the PCB, Pakistani players do to get some quality competitive exposure? Should the PCB offer to pay the ECB, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket Board or South African Cricket Board some extra dough to ensure they send their best squad of 15 whenever they play Pakistan? Link NOC approvals to sending strong playing elevens in Pakistan?

Something has to be done. For far too long we enter ICC tournaments with hype after having been on a winning streak against weak associate teams or C-D Big 5 teams only to get brutally exposed against the big boys on the big stage.

The big 5 also play weak teams against each other in t20 bilaterals.

Anyway, there is that thing you see in the workplace, sphere of influence and sphere of control. Big 5 you can say is in the sphere of influence ( perhaps), but first lets focus on what we can control.

We can control selecting players on merit.
We can control by trying to make our first class/domestic system strong and cutting out the dross.
We can control imbedding a strong and uncompromising professional structure.
We can control the external noises within the PCB ( ex players offered roles).
We can control the pitches we produce across our cricket.
We can control how much is invested in cricket at the right places vs vanity projects like mentors.

Let's attempt to control the controllables first. They are within our grasp and will probably have a better impact.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Don't think this is just relationship based alone. Countries like Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa rest their big players from touring Pakistan under the pre-text of workload management, maybe the players themselves don't want to tour Pakistan either. PCB needs to think creatively about the problem i.e. Offer to pay extra out of pocket to these boards, or players to tour Pakistan, link NOC's for the leagues with selecting strong squads of 15 to play in Pakistan e.t.c.

They rest their big players because a lot of time PCB is playing them close to IPL. None of the players will take a chance and lose opportunity to play in IPL. Another factor which many Pak fans may not want to accept is that Pakistan is not an attractive place to tour. It is not exactly safe and they all are going to be barricaded and behind presidential security. Not many superstars in Pak to prove yourselves against and pretty poor playing conditions. Usually it is just an opportunity for those in the fringe to get a chance to represent their country.

It is really unfortunate. Despite being hardcore Indian fan and anti Pakistani establishment, I genuinely want to see good Pakistani team playing. It is always fun to watch and they carry natural talent and swag. Hope things improves but I sincerely doubt it unless Pakistan itself improves