POTW : Dr_Bassim

[MenInG]

Well he was away for a while it seems but the Australia tour has brought him back
[MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION] strikes with his first delivery

Congratulations on a post which was written during the recently concluded 1st Test.

There was a famous case somewhere (I purposely would not mention the name) because it would be disrespectful to the hospital and staff involved.

There were 5 patients who were supposed to be diagnosed with brain abscess according to their symptoms. The honorable doctor handed out the diagnoses and asked them to follow his recommendations.

All 5 of them succumbed to their diagnoses.

Lawsuits were filed, a huge hullabaloo was raised, and there was absolute mayhem and chaos.

Everyone in the hospital thought the doctor was at fault because before the hospital never had 5 patients dying at the same time.

The doctor was changed and next round of patients were seen. 4 of them died again after being diagnosed with infection.

The hospital declared a state of emergency and decided to find out what was the problem.

It turned out everyone in the hospital was not catching the infection. Only the people exposed to room 14 were catching the infection.

Finally they found the answer.

But by then 25 people had died.

What is the point of the entire story?

Today for the first time, I honestly thought most of the threads and posts were all over the place. Some demanded for the inclusion of Asif, others thought that replacing Younis Khan was the answer. Some even thought if you replace Misbah things would turn out better.

Amir was being hailed as a hero better than Starc by some fans, while others were calling him incredibly mediocre.

Salman Butt even found a place in the hearts of fans seeing the abysmal attitude of our team.

I can personally understand the frustration of many posters who follow the team even more zealously than me, but I have to tell people, we have to be really really realistic here.

There is a common perception in Pakistan that people sitting outside the team are world beaters, and there is concerted conspiracy to keep them out of the team. These people can be a bowler you like, or a batsmen you believe will be much better option than current batsman.

However this is a deeply flawed approach. A doctor can only treat what is in front of him. If he cannot find the source of infection, he cannot find the cause of infection. Similarly, if you cannot understand the source of team's problems, simply random shuffling of the players is unlikely to yield any tangible result.

For instance, if we sack Misbah today and make Babar Azam (or insert your favorite cricketer here) things will not magically change for the better. The source of the problem is still there. Changing doctors or patients won't change the end result.

Today if Pakistan is capitulating to 97-8 in 43 overs, lights are hardly to be blamed for a RR of 1.5 and 8 wickets hanging their bats to balls. The techniques are soft and it takes years of dedication to build such techniques.

Pakistan is not 97-8 today because Sharjeel didn't play. Neither did Australia get 429 because Asif was not flown in.

If mass people keep believing them, they don't realize the source of the problem, we are going to be in deep deep trouble for longer periods of time.

Its even more tragic and sad when I see deeply respected posters join the bandwagon of "he can't do worse than him". Actually the newcomer can "even do worse" than him. There is no golden rule in cricket that whoever comes into the team, must automatically be better than the one who is currently performing in the team.

Were that to be true, with the chopping and changing Pakistan do most of the time, we would have won the last 5 World Cups.

Also it's time to accept that domestic bullies in Pakistan are not really world class and selectors are blocking them. They are mostly limited batsmen because players like Kamran Akmal who is a renowned failure at international level is outscoring them. But more on that probably later.

The team has its basics right of course. They have batsmen who can bat and bowlers who can bowl. But have they bowled on such pitches before? Have they even acclimatized to the conditions before? Probably not.

My suggestions?

1. The road is going to be a hard and painful one. PCB has to arrange and plan tours so that we have at least 3 practice matches before the actual matches start.

2. Also A teams should definitely tour Australia and South Africa and all those places where they are supposed to find it tough. A teams should actually feature players who are on the fringes of selection and not nobodies who are never going to be selected.

3. It is time to invest in the future. Even if Mohammad Asif is Glenn McGrath reincarnated he is not going to light up Melbourne and Sydney just because he is flown in. He also needs time to acclimatize and unfortunately we don't have time. He doesn't have time either.

It's time to forget those Butt's, Akmals and Asif's that are on the twilight of their career.

We are going to lose with or without them. But at least lets make sure that some youngsters who are going to be core of the team for next 3 years are around when Pakistan tours Australia again in 2019.

One of the potentials is Babar Azam. He should be ready for the next tour in 2019 as an accomplished part of the middle order.

4. My point is not to give up hope or tell you guys it's going to end up in 3-0. It probably might all change tomorrow with a magical Amir and Sarfraz partnership.

But it is unlikely to happen? Why? Because the preparation has not been good enough.

Changing a different player will make no different to the result, unless the player is Usman Khawaja who has practiced day in day out at Brisbane.

5. Every new player should be given 5 test matches at least to show his mettle. Out of these 5, at least 2 tests should be in a foreign country where he won't get easy runs simply by playing out the surface.

Of course, if we follow my suggestions, it is just probable in 2019 we might see a bunch of players, who have repeatedly toured Australia with A teams, and are now in Pakistan team, and are young enough to make an impact.

Of course, we can also follow [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] discussions and pretend that suddenly someone out of the blue will turn up in Australia and heroically change the fat of the cricket team.

Cricket teams are actually made, by repeated and concerted efforts, by practising day in and day out, by focusing on deficiencies and rectifying them.

Cricket teams are not conjured out of thin air based on 6 years beliefs, QEA finals performance or because of a would be favorite who performs once in a blue moon.

I have a deep founded romance with the Pakistan cricket team, but I wish people would see that it's not the fault of Misbah or Younis or even PCB.

This team is trying its best.

But it's best at the moment is much below what is expected. And sudden influx of players who are shining in domestics in Pakistan or sudden shuffling of captaincy won't change the outcome.

Let's support Amir and Sarfraz tomorrow, but let's also accept that this tour might be more tougher than we imagined but we can learn from it and make decisions that make the tour of 2019 finally more memorable.

 

[Fahdi]

Congrats. It was a good post. The thread didn't get much of a response unforunately.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

There is a common perception in Pakistan that people sitting outside the team are world beaters, and there is concerted conspiracy to keep them out of the team. These people can be a bowler you like, or a batsmen you believe will be much better option than current batsman.

Like his This para.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Congratulations [MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION]

Always a pleasure debating with you mate !! Keep up the good work

 

[Major]

There is a common perception in Pakistan that people sitting outside the team are world beaters, and there is concerted conspiracy to keep them out of the team. These people can be a bowler you like, or a batsmen you believe will be much better option than current batsman. - See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?254117-POTW-Dr_Bassim#sthash.Q5z3wRM3.dpuf

sadly, this perception won't go away.

whats funny is Sami Aslam and Babar Azam were also part of that perception, but after their debuts and runs, fans think other players could replace them.

Congrats doctor saab

 

[EliteCynical]

Congrats Doc. Well deserved.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Congratulations [MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION]

Always a pleasure debating with you mate !! Keep up the good work

sadly, this perception won't go away.

whats funny is Sami Aslam and Babar Azam were also part of that perception, but after their debuts and runs, fans think other players could replace them.

Congrats doctor saab

There is a common perception in Pakistan that people sitting outside the team are world beaters, and there is concerted conspiracy to keep them out of the team. These people can be a bowler you like, or a batsmen you believe will be much better option than current batsman.

Like his This para.

Congrats. It was a good post. The thread didn't get much of a response unforunately.

Thank you.

I admit I wasn't expecting it on this post, as I was heavily criticized for it by certain segments, but nonetheless I appreciate Pakpassion for this gesture.

 

[street cricketer]

Congrats!

One of the great posters of PP.

 

[Saj]

Well done Doc.

 

[Hawkeye]

Doc,


We may disagree on sone points but the post above was spot on.

And you're a generally level headed poster. Good to tease and discuss things with.

 

[moghul]

Must be a good post as has been most of the POTWs, congratulations.

 

[karthikc]

Well deserved for one of my favorite posters on Pakpassion

 

[JaDed]

Congrats Doc,looks like old posters are back to winning POTW ,first Mamoon-Junaids and now Doc.

 

[Junaids]

It's a well-argued post, congratulations.

I still disagree with large tracts of it, however.

Firstly, no evidence is given for supporting a 42 year old skipper while advocating a focus on youth.

Secondly, the whole point of why the News of the World requested Majeed to get Butt, Amir and Asif to fix - after Majeed told the paper that none of them were in his fixing group - was because they were the best and most famous players on the Pakistan team.

We now have clear proof that they are still 3 of Pakistan's best 5 players. WAPDA would not have won the QEA trophy without the bowling of Asif and the batting of Butt.

But still this piece tries to obfuscate the issue, making it appear that Asif and Butt are not actually quality players.

But that obfuscation is absurd. Because nobody can seriously argue that Sohail Khan and Imran Khan are fitter or faster than Asif, let alone a fraction of as skilled. Or that Sharjeel Khan is better equipped for Tests in Australia than Pakistan's Australian batting GOAT Salman Butt.

Mickey Arthur has in the last few weeks made clear that Sohail, Sharjeel and Imran are not selectable.

Yet still we are told that black is white, that Asif and Butt are not better than them.

I congratulate this POTW. It's well written and thought provoking. I just don't agree with it's conclusions!

 

[Junaids]

Let me also state a key point which has been lost in a bizarre defeat euphoria.

Pakistan lost the First Test to a rubbish Australia team.

This is the worst Australia team that Pakistan has ever played against outside the Packer period. They are used to their home conditions, but they are a terrible team. Four excellent players, two rookies who will become top players, and five garbage cricketers.

It's not okay to leave two of your best players out, then lose by 39 runs. Or to play just one warm-up match.

It's a shocking case of the selectors snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

It's a well-argued post, congratulations.

I still disagree with large tracts of it, however.

Firstly, no evidence is given for supporting a 42 year old skipper while advocating a focus on youth.

Secondly, the whole point of why the News of the World requested Majeed to get Butt, Amir and Asif to fix - after Majeed told the paper that none of them were in his fixing group - was because they were the best and most famous players on the Pakistan team.

We now have clear proof that they are still 3 of Pakistan's best 5 players. WAPDA would not have won the QEA trophy without the bowling of Asif and the batting of Butt.

But still this piece tries to obfuscate the issue, making it appear that Asif and Butt are not actually quality players.

But that obfuscation is absurd. Because nobody can seriously argue that Sohail Khan and Imran Khan are fitter or faster than Asif, let alone a fraction of as skilled. Or that Sharjeel Khan is better equipped for Tests in Australia than Pakistan's Australian batting GOAT Salman Butt.

Mickey Arthur has in the last few weeks made clear that Sohail, Sharjeel and Imran are not selectable.

Yet still we are told that black is white, that Asif and Butt are not better than them.

I congratulate this POTW. It's well written and thought provoking. I just don't agree with it's conclusions!

Thank you Junaids.

However, just to clarify my thought process.

I, in no way believe that, any cricketer is better than any other cricketer on the basis of one QEA final match.

Asif and Butt have to top the scoring charts for a domestic season consistently before they can be even considered for selection.

And with the baggage they bring, I am just shocked anyone could advocate for them.

End of the day, your premise that players out of international cricket for 6 years are better than players in the international team is a big presumption and ONE QEA FINAL is not going to change the opinions of selectors or any random person.

Of course, consistent performances could force a recall. But then both are getting no younger and it's much better to move on.

You somehow have a fantasy that after a 6 year sojourn both the players are equally good and your proof is based on ONE QEA FINAL match.

I am sorry that is not good enough.

Let's agree to disagree

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Well done Doc.

Doc,


We may disagree on sone points but the post above was spot on.

And you're a generally level headed poster. Good to tease and discuss things with.

Well deserved for one of my favorite posters on Pakpassion

Must be a good post as has been most of the POTWs, congratulations.

Congrats Doc,looks like old posters are back to winning POTW ,first Mamoon-Junaids and now Doc.

Thank you for the wishes.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] I know it's all good humored needling. I don't mind it, and life would be boring without your excerpts you throw in now and then.

Keep it up.

 

[Junaids]

Thank you Junaids.

However, just to clarify my thought process.

I, in no way believe that, any cricketer is better than any other cricketer on the basis of one QEA final match.

Asif and Butt have to top the scoring charts for a domestic season consistently before they can be even considered for selection.

And with the baggage they bring, I am just shocked anyone could advocate for them.

End of the day, your premise that players out of international cricket for 6 years are better than players in the international team is a big presumption and ONE QEA FINAL is not going to change the opinions of selectors or any random person.

Of course, consistent performances could force a recall. But then both are getting no younger and it's much better to move on.

You somehow have a fantasy that after a 6 year sojourn both the players are equally good and your proof is based on ONE QEA FINAL match.

I am sorry that is not good enough.

Let's agree to disagree

I'm happy too to agree to disagree.

But let me say this. The red Kookaburra only helps the bowlers for 20 overs, and I think that at Malbourne and Sydney you will be lost without Asif with the new ball.

But you are setting Asif a domestic performance requirement that he never came close to reaching even in his peak years. It's impossible for a bowler of his type in the subcontinent.

Salman Butt has scored more runs in 2016 than any other Pakistani. He meets your threshold.

And even in the QEA, he and Imam-ul-Haq had basically identical run volumes and averages far above any other opener and specifically far higher than Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Congo Bassim ji.

Gun flo.

I mean fellow.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Well deserved.

 

[DRsohail]

very balanced poster,,always speaks sense.....a agree most of the post,specially giving chances to youngsters..and of course u were right ,our preparation was not adequate, we can see from the 2nd innings that this team can do good if there were enough preparations like they did in eng tour...i mean at least 3 tour games,....u19 and A team regulartours to eng,SA.and aus are must.....noway our player can make and aopt there technique so quickly without enough and prior exposure,,,,,.....

 

[cricketfanfirst]

Congrats Doc!

One of the best posters on the forum. Always make sure I read his posts, has some subtle sense of humor too ....

 

[leg-side-flick]

Let me also state a key point which has been lost in a bizarre defeat euphoria.

Pakistan lost the First Test to a rubbish Australia team.

This is the worst Australia team that Pakistan has ever played against outside the Packer period. They are used to their home conditions, but they are a terrible team. Four excellent players, two rookies who will become top players, and five garbage cricketers.

It's not okay to leave two of your best players out, then lose by 39 runs. Or to play just one warm-up match.

It's a shocking case of the selectors snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Agree with this....

Out of curiosity, which 5 are garbage from Australia