Pakistan cricket has failed to produce a truly world-class cricketer for many years

[Abid Z]

[MENTION=31509]Abid Z[/MENTION] - the pitches aren't flat from the outset these days in Pakistan. I'll briefly clarify the issue.

PCB issued a directive around 2003 that the pitches in domestic cricket should be more sporting after the criticism that they were too flat and did not equip Pakistani batsmen for overseas tours. So we've gone the other extreme.

We're seeing an abundance of grassy pitches, sometimes so green they're barely distinguishable from the outfield, and offer extravagant seam movement. What offers further assistance to the seamers is that Pakistan's domestic season occurs during Oct-Dec during the colder season where overcast weather predominates especially in Northern Pakistan where most FC occur.

And thanks to PCB cheapskates, Grays ball is used in FC cricket which offers extravagant movement for the seamers. So an average seamer can simply land the ball on a length and let the conditions do the work, without any skill needed. This is killing our fast bowlers.

Also let's look at it from a batsman's POV. These pitches have little clay content so these are slow, low pitches that discourages fluent strokeplay and encourage survival. As a result, we're producing an abundance of limited front-foot batsmen who struggle to score against pace and bounce.

Then these pitches get baked under the sun over Day 2 and 3, becoming absolute phattas and batsmen are then able to simply hit through the line. This is why we see so many lopsided scorecards - take the QEA Final. These pitches don't even deteriorate so we're also seeing an abundance of wicket-to-wicket darters instead of spinners who can turn the ball and use loop and flight.

The numbers support how bowler-friendly our domestic pitches have become. The average 1st innings total in the recent QEA Trophy was 279, with 45% of all 1st inns scores under 250. In contrast, the avg 1st innings score in last season's County Championship Division 1 in England was 334 with only 28% of scores falling under 250. In the 2015-2016 Sheffield Shield in Australia, the average score was 300 (32% under 250).

These pitches are appalling cricket wickets and PCB must be held accountable.

Thanks for clarifying!!

I think Bazid Khan and his dad did a report on this a while back and I think time and time again Waqar amongst other have mentioned the balls being used being substandard.

My limited understand of pitches is that they change every decade or so. What were once fast bouncy pitches (eg Lords, Headingley, ) over time become slow and flat. This is due to drainage for sure, but also clay content. What you are describing though is a situation where all northern pitches in Pakistan are substandard from the outset and need to be dug up and started again. No Clay content? but they don't deteriorate?? what binds them together?

World class curators are the issue here surely and then playing conditions. I know with the mountains close to Pindi make colder conditions there a factor but Multan and other regions further south?? don't they get any Cricket? there was some talk of Hyderabad ground being renovated...has that happened?

Sadly all these issues are lost on the inept personnel at the PCB but just point to a multitude of reasons why we cant produce more world class cricketers.

 

[Princejain191]

A lot of people here are confused about how a world-class player is truly defined. To put it simply, a world-class player is someone who could get into most international teams, if not all.

So talking about India, I would say Virat in all formats is a world-class player. And Ashwin is world-class in tests. This I think would be common opinion for all cricket fans. For Rahane in tests, it is subjective and will depend on person-to-person. This is about it as far as current world-class player goes for India. However, do feel Shami can add to the list if he performs in away tests in the next 2 years and same goes for Jadeja in tests.

Now coming to Pakistan, I don't really think they do have an all-format world class player.

Amir for limited overs maybe and Yasir in tests could probably be considered world-class. I have never been a big fan of Younis and personally wouldn't call him world-class, just based on the quality of batting that is. Has great stats though and I totally understand when others call him a great of the game.

So there it is, not sure why but most Pakistan players who start great usually fall away. Maybe lack of professionalism and work ethics which shows in how a lot of them are so full of themselves. But really feel Amir can take the route to greatness. Love his bowling and he certainly is an articulate bowler. Yasir is really good, hope he can be smarter though - needs to have a plan B when A doesn't work - probably why I consider him lesser to Ashwin in test match bowling.

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar,Younis, and Yasir are world class test players. Babar and Amir have the potential to be world class.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Azhar,Younis, and Yasir are world class test players. Babar and Amir have the potential to be world class.

This. People seem to be setting the standards unreasonably high when it comes to defining "world class".

 

[Hasan123]

This. People seem to be setting the standards unreasonably high when it comes to defining "world class".

World class has a different meaning for different people.

 

[silent ischemia]

Nope Ashwin is world class.

De Kock averages mid 40s in both formats iirc, that is far from inconsistent.

Rabada is WC, doesn't matter if your ER is slightly high when you have an average of 22 and SR of 37.

Williamson is WC, T20Is don't come into the equation since they're not important for most people. Besides he's quality in the other two formats.

Mendis is the only one that can be termed as not WC right now but as someone with WC potential, his 176 vs Australia is what coloured my judgement of him it was a brilliant knock but he hasn't kicked on yet from that.

Well Ashwin's record in Aus/NZ/SA and England is appalling. When there is no help he fails to deliver. Swann was better

 

[Zak_Fan]

Well Ashwin's record in Aus/NZ/SA and England is appalling. When there is no help he fails to deliver. Swann was better

Hasn't played in NZ, 1 Test in South Africa, and despite a poor record in Aus, he has been one of the better touring spinners.

As for his record in England, it is actually quite decent. Why don't you verify your facts before coming up with such ridiculous claims?

 

[silent ischemia]

Ok Swann vs Ashwin in Australia

 

[silent ischemia]

Hasn't played in NZ, 1 Test in South Africa, and despite a poor record in Aus, he has been one of the better touring spinners.

As for his record in England, it is actually quite decent. Why don't you verify your facts before coming up with such ridiculous claims?

Infact I am a big fan of Ashwin; just love his attitude. I would love to see him perform in unfriendly conditions

 

[Haroon786]

Well Ashwin's record in Aus/NZ/SA and England is appalling. When there is no help he fails to deliver. Swann was better

Ashwin was decent in Australia, hasn't played in NZ and SA was a one bad performance. Also an average in the low 30s in England is poor ? News to me, that is very decent despite him not getting much game time there.

In his most recent tour to WI, he did brilliantly there.

Swann was also world class but fared poorly in Australia.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Ok Swann vs Ashwin in Australia

Swann was dismal in Aus.


Are you aiming for a record of making ridiculous, easily verifiable claims?

 

[Saj]

Some rather mediocre players being labelled as world-class players.

How standards have fallen.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

World class means the guy could walk into the best team imo.

At the moment, I'd say only YK fits that bill.

People bringing up Misbah and Shafiq need to get a reality check. Shafiq is a 41 averaging batsman in the days where the best average 55-65 during his playing period. Likewise Misbah is very average.

Azhar on the other hand could be a great for Pak in test matches.

 

[Speedster777]

The decline started when we had hacks like Afridi in the team being hailed as stars despite their Perpetual failure and selfish conduct that cost us so many games leading to our current lowest ranking.

 

[Saj]

Another way of defining world class is a player who would walk into the starting XI of the top teams in the world.

 

[mz123]

Another way of defining world class is a player who would walk into the starting XI of the top teams in the world.

azhar in tests Mashallah