The OP's hilarious, riotious assessment of India as being far better over 15 years was a good laugh for Sunday morning. India have been the best asian team for awhile and margins have increased in the last 5 years, but the level of the teams was very very close all the way up to the 2011 World Cup and a bit further than that.
However, the obvious trolling aside, the question about how Pakistan becomes the best asian team is an interesting one. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] thinks it'll never happen, but here's how I think it can:
Admin factors
1) It's incredibly important that both Ehsan Mani and Wasim Khan serve their full terms. These guys have shown an appetite for positive change. They've also demonstrated through their networking skills that they CAN build up Pakistan's influence in the ICC again with other boards. Najam Sethi was ok at this, but these guys are an improvement based on the Bangladesh tour agreement, the agreement with SENA boards for more A team tours and that tour itineraries have at least three tests, thus giving Pakistan squads more exposure to SENA conditions. These are all positive bridge building steps for the duo, as post Ejaz Butt and Spot Fixing gate, PCBs reputation was at an all time low.
2) That their governance amendments stick. The most important of these is removing the Head of Government as the PCB's patron. One of the most disruptive things in Pakistan cricket has been when, whenever the national government changes, the new PM get' s his own guy in. See Zardari and Zaka Ashraf, Sharif and Najam Sethi and now IK and Ehsan Mani. Eventually the serving board regime is unable to oversee any improvement because the PCB president will leave once the PM leaves. Any long term amendments never get implemented, and as such the PCB has been left behind compared to other cricket boards. Thus is the reason why beaurocratic hanger ons that don't add anything can still be found in PCB. If Wasim and Mani hang around, those hanger ons will slowly be moved on.
Structural Factors
1) The change in Domestic System staying long term - Personally I feel that the new domestic system has been quietly impactful. The 6 teams, the defined home away system and the use of the Kookaburra ball will in the long term bring forward more refined bowlers and batsmen.
2) Improvement of Domestic Pitches - The pitches in the last domestic season were roads on average. However the PCB is actively trying to rectify this by getting the ICC head curator to train local curators. Hopefully this bears fruit.
3) Higher quality domestic coaching. One thing hampering Pakistan cricket has been high quality coaching at the domestic level. It's usually the same old names with the same old ideas who will always give the TTFs a chance over deserving youngsters. A counter example to this has been Mohammed Wasim as the coach of Northern. The guy has given chances to youngsters and as a result Northern, whilst not winning, have made the finals of both QEA and the T20 cup. Similar to talent hunts, PCB should encourage coaching hunts and sponsor a select group of coaches to have experience in other systems like Shield or County cricket.
4) Organize and Improve schools cricket - Currently PCB have a revamped the domestic structure. However the link between schools cricket and the domestic structure is still weak. A more organised schools structure with tournaments etc will ease the pathway of these kids to domestic cricket.
5) Further revive tours to Pakistan - The more Pakistan hosts other teams, the more money PCB can make to facilitate some of the structures I have mentioned. It will also inspire young ones to take up the game more.
6) Making the PSL properly profitable - Hosting in Pakistan, full stadiums and a larger broadcast deal will help with this. Once there is clear profitability, perhaps more teams can be added
7) Sticking with the joint Chief Selector/Head Coach role- The jury is out on Misbah and this is not a defence of him, but I think the combined role has it's benefits. It's been successfully trialled by NZ and keeps accountability with one man. It also helps to as a money saving tact if the roles are combined. It's important that the guy in this role has a clear site of Domestic performers and gives them opportunities. You don't want the national team to be a closed shop full of a revolving door of TTFs and Misbah has atleast given some domestic performers a chance.
Team considerations
1) One/Two truly aggressive openers - This is a longstanding issue for Pakistan. Current Stop gaps would be a revamped Sharjeel and a rejuvenated Fakhar, but Pakistan need more long term answers in this position. Haider Ali may be an option, but he needs to better his strike rotation. Hopefully Zeeshan Malik comes good in the new domestic season to further his case
2) One/two Middle Order players who can play in both gears - This is a potential problem area, as both Hafeez and Malik retire this year and Haris Sohail's form fluctuates. However, it's the one area where there is a bit of hope on the horizon. There are multiple guys in Domestic who have burgeoning reputations to play this role - Hopefully Zeeshan Ashraf and Rohail Nazir perform in the PSL. Also, Saif Bader, Saud Shakeel also wait in the wings. The lad Faizan from LQ also one to watch for
3) A consistent finisher- A cool headed smasher is what's needed ala Razzaq. Khushdil is currently given a go but U19 lads like Irfan Niazi and Mohammed Haris are potential solutions here. Haris has done it a number of times so is a good bet.
4) A contributing wicketkeeper batsman - I feel that Rizwan is ok for tests. However we need someone to push him for the ODI spot and replace him in the T20s. Both Haris and Rohail from the U19s keep. Rohail is hit and miss as a keeper though. Alternatively Umar Akmal could return as a keeper, but that's a last resort. Sarfaraz at this point only works in tests. Unless he can show something in the PSL the door remains closed for him.
5) A bowling all-rounder - Hopefully this someone who can replace Imad as a pace bowling alrounder who can smash it down the order - Ammad Butt is being given a go and Amir Yameen has been tried here. Fahim Ashraf has not worked out batting wise. One very left field suggestion would be Hasan Ali as a bowling all-rounder. If he can work a lot more on his batting, there is a potential player in there. People who may find this ridiculous will know that Shoaib Malik started as a Saqlain clone who could bat a bit. Why can't Hasan make similar amendments? Because he's not getting his fast bowling spot back anytime soon.
6) Wrist Spinner alternatives to Shadab/Yasir- Personally I would prefer if Yasir refound his groove because he's such a character to have in the dressing room. However alternatives here are Mohammed Mohsin for white ball cricket to replace Shadab. Usama Mir showed promise but goes for far too many runs and thus is not an upgrade on Shadab. Is there anybody in first class as a wrist spinner who replaces Yasir?
7) Offspinner for Test Cricket - The cupboard here is pretty bare but aside from Bilal Asif there's only Sajid Khan. Next
8) Left Armers spinners not named Imad/Nawaz - Umer Khan gets talked up a lot here and given his inclusion in both PSL and the Emerging team, he is on the selectors radar. Zafar Gohar gets a mention as a test match option
Captaincy - Let's hope that Babar develops as a leader during this time. I once thought of someone like Amir being a future captain because of his cricketing mind. May be one to revisit in the future
That's it! Thanks
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