People might find this condescending, but cricket has become a poor man's game in Pakistan. Up until the 70s, a lot of Pakistani players came from posh families and were well-groomed. These players commanded respect and had a presence.
People like Sarfraz are very bad for the image of Pakistan cricket. I was in the U.S. during the Champions Trophy, and I was frankly embarrassed in front of my Indian friends when I saw Sarfraz and Kohli standing side by side and holding the trophy before the final. The contrast was day and night.
Look at the way Kohli carries himself, the vocabulary that he uses, the way he puts his thoughts into words and his fluency has enabled him to make a big impression. Moreover, Pakistan cricket also needs to become more secular as [MENTION=146956]ArsenalFC[/MENTION] pointed out.
I will take the same line of thought but a different conclusion.
Please forgive my generalization.
The mix of players from Urban areas and particularly mid to upper income families used to be much higher in the past than now as the game has spread.
For sure, there were many negatives of that phenomenon - these players played less as a team (look at the massively gifted 70s Pakistan team that won nothing) and there was plenty of infighting and jockeying for power. There were also Karachi vs Lahore grouping (like in the 80s, Mumbai vs rest of India) which hurt merit and team cause.
However, when they got it right - like the 50s Kardar team or the 80s Imran team, they punched above their weight and took the game to the opposition.
Today, the game is widespread in Pakistan and players come from all over the country - and maybe more from lower income background. These players, while very talented, are also dependant on cricket being the primary income source for their families. They tend to be mire cautious. Also, social norms tend to be about respect for elders and seniors - as opposed to snarling at them to get their place at the table. These players are more diffident - perhaps less charismatic in the literal sense.
So over time, team has tended to be more homegenuous, diffident and biased toward groupthink.
Obviously this is a very broad brush and there are exceptions either way - such as Asad Shafiq and Waqar Younis for example.
Good news is that these things tend to even out with time - with a few wins, a bit more confidence and most importantly, when they find their superstar or talisman, they will shed their collective inhibitions and play more with the natural Pakistan flair.
That is why I believe, over time, once he has instilled the rigors of fitness, cohesion and loyalty, Mickey will need to be replaced by someone who prefers flair and encourages innovation. Kind of what Wenger did at Arsenal aftervthe dire 80s.
Until that happens, I am still holding out for our Talisman. We are due.
