How can PCB find more players like Babar Azam?

[gazza619]

Babar Azam is a product of our grassroots. Played under 15, under 19 and under 23 for Pakistan. First class debut in 2009. International debut in 2015 against an easy opponent (Zimbabwe).

The above was the recipe of how we discovered Babar Azam. He still has to prove his metal in tests but he is maturing by the day.

If PCB is trying to find future stars then I say follow the Babar Azam way. Ensure a player has played decent amount of first class cricket before International debut and make them debut against an easy opponent to give them confidence.

We need to line up some games against the second tier teams and identify which players are ready for their international debut (i.e have potential and have already played a good few years of first class cricket).

Can you guys please help pinpoint such players?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

We have a player like Haris Sohail.

 

[gazza619]

We have a player like Haris Sohail.

There are still several spots up for grabs in the team post WC.

 

[zain41]

Need to revamp domestic circuit imo finish departmental focus on regions.. people will be more inclined to watch regional no one cares about departmental..more views equals more money.. set up a 12 team league or something

 

[Slog]

PCB have been working on Babar Azam since he was 14 years old.

They didn’t find him. They made him

 

[Arsalan Pro]

There are still several spots up for grabs in the team post WC.

I completely agree with what you said, and we definitely need more World Class players but it's not just about playing cricket at all levels for significant periods. It's the hard work done by player himself out of the game, that makes him a great player.

Unfortunately, most of our players get ahead of themselves.

 

[Syed1]

Babar Azam is a complete product of the system he was playing u19 cricket when he was 12-13 years old. Has spent years refining his technique at NCA.


If PCB has ever done one thing right it is to identify and nourish the talent of Babar. Sadly he is one and only case of us getting our act together and producing a world class talent.

 

[Slog]

Babar Azam is a complete product of the system he was playing u19 cricket when he was 12-13 years old. Has spent years refining his technique at NCA.


If PCB has ever done one thing right it is to identify and nourish the talent of Babar. Sadly he is one and only case of us getting our act together and producing a world class talent.

Lol he wasn’t playing under 19 when he was 13

He started in U15 I think.

But you’re right. I think around 2015 I said here that if babar Azam turns out to be a dud then we might as well shut down the NCA.

 

[Syed1]

Lol he wasn’t playing under 19 when he was 13

He started in U15 I think.

But you’re right. I think around 2015 I said here that if babar Azam turns out to be a dud then we might as well shut down the NCA.

I remember he represented us in two u19 WCs... So must have been playing u19 cricket when he was 15-16 and yeah you are right might have been u15 before that.

 

[Rana]

From what I’ve seen I think Abid Ali is also of that quality.

The players are there, those players just need to be brave and look to bat at a decent pace when called up

 

[farazaidi]

why dont all youth players get similar support system? Sami Aslam is one name that comes to mind. An all conquering U-19 opener, had a decent run in test side but then ignored completely. Other names are Hammad Azam and Zafar Gohar. Zafar didnt even got a look in, played only a single ODI 4 years ago

 

[The Viper]

Wlist it is not perfect, domestic cricket is still the way to go for these young batsman. They need consistent chances though. Some are talented but are ignored such as Zeeshan Malik and Saif Badar.

 

[kingusama92]

It's tough, Babar was a child prodigy and a very rare find.

He was being raved about in his early teens as the nation's best young prospect.

 

[MMHS]

Batsmen are not found, rather developed. Babar first represented PAK sometimes in April 2007 I believe, for PAK U15 in a tournament in WIN, when officially he was 12. Even before that in 2006, few months before turning 12, he represented a School team against another British school team for U15 cricket ...... therefore it's quite understandable that he was identified early as a child prodigy and fast tracked into every level (played 2 U19 WCs, and made PAK A at the age of 18).

However, he is not the only one as such and there are several such prodigies been fast-tracked even into PAK team - Hasan Raza, Salim Elahi, Imran Nazir, Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik (yes, played for PAK U16 at the age of 14 in 1995, made in that PAK team at 17!!!!), Sami Aslam and few others ... but hardly anyone reached near about Babar's level - THIS IS WHERE MICKEY ARTHUR COMES to PAK Cricket.

Micky's mentor worked on two very good PAK batsmen in their mid to let 20s and turned them into Younis Khan & Mo Yousuf that we know today (No - Basit Alis & Ali Zias or Mostasims don't coach potentials into world class batsmen). Being a top class pro coach, Arthur got his hand early on Babar - the result is there for everyone to see. In fact, if his uncle is sacked after PAK leaves "early" from WC, it could be a blessing for Imam as well - he'll be dropped from ODI squad and just for those 18-19 months under Arthur, it should help him to become a PAK Test opener for a decade.

Babar's not out hundred is the biggest achievement for PAK in this WC - PCB better handle him with care.

 

[msb314]

From what I’ve seen I think Abid Ali is also of that quality.

The players are there, those players just need to be brave and look to bat at a decent pace when called up

Abid Ali doesn’t hold a candle to Babar.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Babar was lucky that he had a privileged background and had Akmal brothers as his guide and mentors in navigating the system. Thousands of talented players give up their dreams to work in random jobs so that they and their families can survive. The country cannot produce great athletes when such is the ultimate reality of sports in Pakistan.

 

[Savak]

Babar Azam apparently has the best work ethic among the Pakistani players. He spends countless over in the nets and against the bowling machines working on his batting and the results are in front of us. Shan Masood when he started batting in the nets for 4-5 hours a day did not improve just like that on his own.

 

[Syed1]

Babar was lucky that he had a privileged background and had Akmal brothers as his guide and mentors in navigating the system. Thousands of talented players give up their dreams to work in random jobs so that they and their families can survive. The country cannot produce great athletes when such is the ultimate reality of sports in Pakistan.

Yeah how can one forget how folks like Amir, Fakhar, Shadab, Hasan, Shaheen etc etc etc all come from well to do backgrounds and drove around in Mercs and Beamers before taking a punt at playing professional cricket.

 

[PakLFC]

Simple. Go to find and groom them in Baluchistan, Sindh other then Karachi, FATA and AJK. When the PCB seem obsessed with Punjab and KPK they will only find players from there. When was the last time we had a player from outside these two provinces?.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Yeah how can one forget how folks like Amir, Fakhar, Shadab, Hasan, Shaheen etc etc etc all come from well to do backgrounds and drove around in Mercs and Beamers before taking a punt at playing professional cricket.

I don't think you get my point here. Amir, Fakhar, Shahdab and Hassan got to where they are by beating the odds which makes them all the more exceptional. Just like ten rags-to-riches stories doesn't disprove the existence of rampant poverty, the presence of these players in the national side does not disprove the fact that players are still being forced to leave cricket just to survive and care for their families.

 

[Syed1]

I don't think you get my point here. Amir, Fakhar, Shahdab and Hassan got to where they are by beating the odds which makes them all the more exceptional. Just like ten rags-to-riches stories doesn't disprove the existence of rampant poverty, the presence of these players in the national side does not disprove the fact that players are still being forced to leave cricket just to survive and care for their families.

That is the reality of any third world country. So what is your suggestion? Pak should refrain from participating in any sport before the level of economic prosperity reach the point that people can take up sport without economic considerations??


By biggest pet peeve is self hating Pakistanis

 

[zamana]

Babar Azam is a product of our grassroots. Played under 15, under 19 and under 23 for Pakistan. First class debut in 2009. International debut in 2015 against an easy opponent (Zimbabwe).

The above was the recipe of how we discovered Babar Azam. He still has to prove his metal in tests but he is maturing by the day.

If PCB is trying to find future stars then I say follow the Babar Azam way. Ensure a player has played decent amount of first class cricket before International debut and make them debut against an easy opponent to give them confidence.

We need to line up some games against the second tier teams and identify which players are ready for their international debut (i.e have potential and have already played a good few years of first class cricket).

Can you guys please help pinpoint such players?

To produce players like Azam, you should have:
1. A competitive domestic structure ( regional as opposed to departmental).
2. Increase the pool of players at the regional level and select the best strictly on merit for the higher forms of the game.
3. Expose the talented players to state of the art facilities to instruct them on the mechanics and technique of the game. Consider it as a University or Center of higher learning and develop the mental aspect of the game also.
4. Develop coaching on technical and scientific lines. Increase the number of qualified coaches and allow them to coach at a basic level like schools and colleges. Have more competitive cricket at this level,
5. Have sporting wickets that encourage attacking batting, spin and fast bowling.
6. Increase the renumeration for players and develop sponsorship of Regional teams by the Departments.
7. Increase the representation of emerging players at all levels including first class and PSL
8. Have more tours for junior teams. The Pak U19 is doing well in SA with several talents emerging. They should be brought into the domestic system.
9. Have transparency , accountability and effective communication .
10. Merit should be the only criterion for selection and advancement.
The above recommendations also apply to other sports and other fields of competition.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

They are coming, inshaAllah. The next batch is developing really well. NCA has been doing great work ever since Mudassar took over.

 

[Hasan123]

You don't just find players. You develop them through coaching.

 

[Shafi]

We have Haider Ali, Haris Khan, Rohail Nazir from U19 team. Haider is an aggressive and solid opening Tasman, Haris is aggressive middle order batsman and Rohail is a good wicket keeper batsman

 

[Fahdi]

Babar Azam came from a cricketing family and had cousins playing for the national team. That meant that he was exposed to proper coaches and a good system from a young age. His work ethics and talent certainly played a big role but the role of a good system should not be overlooked. Babar Azam represents what can be achieved if you have a good structure in place for talent

 

[Ronaldo7]

I remember he represented us in two u19 WCs... So must have been playing u19 cricket when he was 15-16 and yeah you are right might have been u15 before that.

He played his first u19 WC when he was 16 and second one when he was 18/19

 

[Gullycricket]

The best thing about these upcoming Under 19 players who are performing well is that they all are playing at critical spots which have been weaknesses for us for number of years

 

[Abid Z]

But if you look back on some threads posters on here have been calling for him to be dropped whenever he fails. Especially after the tour to Australia couple years ago.

Moral of the story..you can only coach players so far then they have to be backed to perform in difficult circumstances and this takes a few years. We have to be patient and give them time to learn.

 

[saeed5646]

Babar azam is very talented no doubt about that but credit must be also given to Mickey who have given him every opportunity to flourish .Thankfully he is not playing under local ooach otherwise we would have seen him still playing at 5 with much inferior record

When mickey newly join pakistan team he was interviewed during one of psl matches where at same time babar was batting .Babar played a very rash shot to spinner which he was almost gone but mickey backed babar at that time and said he is new young player with alot of potential he will be alright

 

[Greenstorm]

Interesting that nobody mentioned Saud Shakeel. He is closest one to Babar in terms of quality in domestics.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Create a serum of his batting highlights and inject in the veins of every teenager and younger child playing cricket in the system. Under 3, 4, 5, I don't really care about the age.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Umar Akmal - he is from the Babar family and more matured

 

[Leeon1994]

Babar Azam got lucky because of his connection with Akmal family.

Rare talents like him are usually and probably ignored by selectors at the domestic level even.

Even Imam is there because of Inzamam but he is hardly useful.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

That is the reality of any third world country. So what is your suggestion? Pak should refrain from participating in any sport before the level of economic prosperity reach the point that people can take up sport without economic considerations??


By biggest pet peeve is self hating Pakistanis

We shouldm't refrain but we should at least wait for economic prosperity before expecting big things from our athletes.

 

[Markhor]

It helped that Babar was identified from an early age and groomed by the NCA setup. Talent is not found on trees but developed and refined through a system, and we need to replicate what we did for Babar around the country if we're to produce more Babars.

Despite South Africa's recent decline, they're still producing talent because of a strong school system where youngsters are exposed to excellent facilities and coaching. We need to attach our top national coaches to the best school teams so there's a pathway from school to junior to domestic and international cricket. Cricket scholarships that'd allow pupils to pursue their cricketing ambitions as well as their studies would be helpful too.

We also need a more challenging domestic first class tournament so that youngsters play tough, hard and competitive cricket so they're better prepared for the rigours of internationals. Right now however there's too many one sided matches where there's only 2-3 strong teams and the rest being lambs to slaughter.

 

[DRsohail]

Lol he wasn’t playing under 19 when he was 13

He started in U15 I think.

But you’re right. I think around 2015 I said here that if babar Azam turns out to be a dud then we might as well shut down the NCA.

I still remember your golden words.

 

[yasir]

Babar Azam is working with PCB since age of 13, yet still cannot speak proper Urdu, forget about English. PCB should also spend some resources in educating these kids, which is vital for their mental and long term success.

Other issue is Ajmal clan is super talented, Umar and Kamran Akmals were also very talented players, but non of them have education, their mental side is messed up, thanks to no focus on personal development. Maybe it’s not just PCB problem, Pakistan in general is not high on education, specially modern education, free of dogma. Otherwise money was never a problem of Akmals after success of Kamran.

I see same problem with most Pakistani players. We end up having tier2/3 talent at leadership positions for years, that are their because of their personality but not game. Which hampers the growth of team , we have seen that happens all the since after IK, either there are infighting or useless players handed captaincies... Professionalism cannot be developed in 21C without focus on proper education.

 

[yasir]

Player like Babar should be Captain for next two WC, not the likes of Sarfraz, Hafeez, Malik types... But although PCB invested heavily in his development as a cricketer for last 10 years, but did nothing to groom his personality and education.

This is not just PCB problem alone, this is reflection of society, Pakistan is very dogmatic society, we are heavily invested in religion, and not enough in modern civilization. That effects us in every aspect of society. We will continue to be left behind, if our cultural priorities remain unchanged or continue to invest in dogma.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

We need a cricket academy for at least every four million people. That's around 50 functioning academies all across Pakistan. We already have one NCA. And that's just short-term solution.

 

[Mercurial]

Babar Azam is only a good ODI/T20I player, that's it. We need players like Haris Sohail, who are good in every format, not just limited overs cricket.

 

[AdamM97]

1. Reforms in domestic cricket and more emphasis on List A and FC-Cricket. PSL alone won't help you find talented players.
2. Teaching young lads what discipline, hunger and dedication is. Babar Azam spends a lot of time practicing and has a hunger to be the best. Hassan Ali had so much potential but instead got carried away after getting so much fame post-CT17.

In the Afghanistan game, Babar looked very confident and wanted to take on everyone and especially Rashid Khan from ball 1. Leading PAK to victory in the NZ game definitely made him more confident. Babar will only get better from here.

 

[zee-za-man]

Rofl

We don't need more selfish, weakish technique and self-centered players like Babar Azam. I would rather prefer hacks who bat for the team total even if they fail many times.

Selectors have given him too many chances, when he failed in New Zealand as well as in England [Champions Trophy 2017]. He has had a sloppy run. Sohaib Maqsood and many others were removed after one series, this guy being an Akmal is well-backed but has pathetic technique.

Never finished the game, almost cost us in the last match. Always leaves a gate playing spinners and plays them too feebly consuming dots that only aspires confidence in spinners to bowl on his stumps.

English players enjoy Kuldeep Yadav and chahal bowling that htye sweep , rverse sweeop and switch hit them for six while mental midget Azam has become a bunny of Kuldeep due to his broken defense. He and Zaman getting out to Yadav and Mujeeb on the same bloody deliveries.

This guy can't play outswing as well, his footwork is wobbly.

This whole batting lineup needs to be thrownout like 2003. A Saud Shakeel and Usama Baloch mentally strong players are needed.

 

[Red Devil]

They are coming, inshaAllah. The next batch is developing really well. NCA has been doing great work ever since Mudassar took over.

Who do you think is the brightest prospect from the next batch?

 

[Pakhs]

He was made, these kind of batsmen with no apparent weakness cant be found they have to be made and coached from early age. Otherwise you will always find players who have some technical flaws and cant be consistent performers against international bowlers. These days with all the technology for bowlers to study you cant have any weakness so talent alone wont do. You have to be good against all types of bowling and have a sound defense which can only happen with correct coaching for long periods in early part of your development.

 

[Khan12]

They are coming, inshaAllah. The next batch is developing really well. NCA has been doing great work ever since Mudassar took over.

Who are the players?

 

[Shafi]

Who do you think is the brightest prospect from the next batch?

We have at least 3-4 talented players from our U19 team and they are proven performers.
Haider Ali,
Haris Khan,
Rohail Nazir,
Nasim Shah
Abbas Afridi

 

[Shafi]

Who are the players?

Haider Ali,
Haris Khan,
Rohail Nazir,
Nasim Shah
Abbas Afridi

 

[zee-za-man]

Haider Ali,
Haris Khan,
Rohail Nazir,
Nasim Shah
Abbas Afridi

This is mostly U19 and bowlers, there are plenty of options in the domestics who are better than Babar Azam.

We have seen U19 players being screwed by the system before also.

 

[Khan12]

This is mostly U19 and bowlers, there are plenty of options in the domestics who are better than Babar Azam.

We have seen U19 players being screwed by the system before also.

Khalid latif and Shoaib Maqsood. Ok thanks oh sorry forgot about fawad alam, who was made to look like a tailender by maxwell.

 

[Red Devil]

Haider Ali,
Haris Khan,
Rohail Nazir,
Nasim Shah
Abbas Afridi

These players are too young, guys like Saud Shakeel and Zeeshan Malik should be higher in the pecking order.

 

[indianpanacea]

The current U19 squad should be retained and given a full quiad -e-azam season starting couple of months latter and please make sporting pitches ,good for batting and spin

 

[Mamoon]

The only solution is to establish NCA level infrastructure and facilities in every region. Apart from a few clubs and academies in Karachi and a couple of elsewhere, most centers in the country are incapable of producing international quality players.

As a result, talented players from these regions are misguided during their prime learning years, and by the time they get access to NCA, the damage is done.

Babar isn’t the only coming through the system at a young age in NCA, and this is where his talent has individual hard work has given him an edge, but you need to provide a platform first for talent and hard work to shine.

 

[Markhor]

The current U19 squad should be retained and given a full quiad -e-azam season starting couple of months latter and please make sporting pitches ,good for batting and spin

Agree. I don't know how many more youngsters' careers we want to destroy by debuting them before they've even learned their craft.

QEA Trophy is not perfect but some domestic experience is better than nothing. I don't care how Haider Ali looks in an edited YouTube clip - he must first learn art of constructing a long innings at FC level, how to convert 50s into 100s and 150s, and become exposed to different conditions and bowlers before we even think of him debuting for Pakistan.
Fast tracking youngsters with little experience may have come off in the 80s and 90s, but today's opponents are far more professional in their preparations and have so much data and footage at their disposal they'll quickly work out your strengths and weaknesses.

That's why players should only come into the national team when they are close to the finished article.

 

[zee-za-man]

The only solution is to establish NCA level infrastructure and facilities in every region. Apart from a few clubs and academies in Karachi and a couple of elsewhere, most centers in the country are incapable of producing international quality players.

As a result, talented players from these regions are misguided during their prime learning years, and by the time they get access to NCA, the damage is done.

Babar isn’t the only coming through the system at a young age in NCA, and this is where his talent has individual hard work has given him an edge, but you need to provide a platform first for talent and hard work to shine.

Quality players in Pakistan have always been developed in the clubs. NCA is a dead horse and a failed idea adopted from Australia in early 2000s. What results it has given is for all to see.

it became an employment magnet for the dinosaurs and favorites of the adhoc boards.,i have zero faith in that pathetic academy.

Players are developed in ruthless club format where there are more reserves than the playing XI vying to compete with the opposition is equally strong. Meaning 7 batsman and 7 bowlers wer taken to the ground by the club of which 14 competed with each other with their skills.

None of the domestic talents I've witnessed were groomed by NCA. They are helped and supported by clubs like Gladiators owner Omer, most of his players of Pakistan Academy have played for Pakistan in test and odi level. Then its Peshawar club and Islamia College where alot of Afghani cricketers were groomed and now representing on international level. Fakhar Zaman was groomed by an academy run by an army colonel in Mardan. Rawalpindi's Siddiq club from where Shadab Khan and Nawaz came from.

Regional associations and NCA are nepotistic and corrupt. 'They'll never change, better disband them and strengthen inter-school and club levels.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Who do you think is the brightest prospect from the next batch?

Who are the players?

I don't wanna say names. It could be anyone. Can't judge players until we see what their mental fabric is. It's the process I'm excited about that they've actually got a system in place now.

 

[Theo_14]

The best thing about these upcoming Under 19 players who are performing well is that they all are playing at critical spots which have been weaknesses for us for number of years

Exactly what I noted. Exciting times.

PCB must make sure to develop these cricketers the right way. Hasnain for example has a lot to learn and there was no need for him to be fast tracked; he needs to play more cricket at club/domestic level just how Haris Rauf is.

With Wasim Khan in place - I am sure we will see a change of approach; I think Pakistan’s actual transition and new era starts post World cup.

 

[gazza619]

Interesting posts. Seems like we have a few kids in the pipeline on whom we can work.

The question I have is that should we also continue to give slightly older guys like Abid Ali chances after the WC. Or should we go with younger breed..? This is a very big question in my view because then you will argue that players like Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal are also from the same age bracket and should also be tried again.

For me PCB needs to draw a line on which players to abandon regardless of how they perform in the domestic circuit. England did it successfully by ignoring Ian Bell for example who was piling up the runs but never got recalled.