Revelation: Pakistan does not have 'any' world class players any more... And that's not a shame

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I have been following Pakistan cricket since the 80s and it is the first time I can't point to a single player in Pakistan team who is genuinely recognized as world class. By Pakistanis AND by other countries. In most conditions.

By world class, I mean someone who can put fear or at least headache into opposition ranks. The last good one we had in test was Younus Khan and in one days was...gosh...can't recall.

Don's get me wrong. Pakistan has some genuinely good players today and some who could transform into real force - Yasir Shah, Babar Azam, Shadab, Hassan.

This thread is not to discuss the merits of any of the players in the team.

My bigger point is this:

All world class teams go through talent drought. It is Pakistan's turn.

It is time to recognize that the team will be good in certain conditions, and atrocious in some others.

Time to reset the goal - aim high for 4th or 5th rank in all formats.

Have a horses for courses approach to team selection especially overseas, spend more time acclamatizing to foreign conditions on tours, incorporating genuine flat track bullies in UAE even if they are 35+ etc, create overly spinning tracks at home etc.

Separately, invest disproportionate amount of money on U19s and A teams - more tours, more exposure, academies etc. Much like what Bayern Munich did in the late 90s, early 00's.

Also hope to goodness a genuine talisman comes along who drags the whole team up with him.

There is no shame in not having talent. There is shame in not recognizing it and setting the team up for failure.

 

[Greenstorm]

Saeed Ajmal was world class.

 

[Savak]

You don't necessarily need world class players to be effective. The 90's team had world class talents but failed on the big occasions more times than not. The generation that came after that was not anywhere near that talented but managed to win the T-20 WC in 2009 and the CT Trophy in 2017. If these players can work hard, play as a team and for the team and quit worrying about their averages, not outs, cementing their spots for the next match, series, the team can punch above its weight just like it did in the 2017 CT.

 

[GrandMaster]

Younis and Misbah were the last ones to retire.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

You don't necessarily need world class players to be effective. The 90's team had world class talents but failed on the big occasions more times than not. The generation that came after that was not anywhere near that talented but managed to win the T-20 WC in 2009 and the CT Trophy in 2017. If these players can work hard, play as a team and for the team and quit worrying about their averages, not outs, cementing their spots for the next match, series, the team can punch above its weight just like it did in the 2017 CT.

I agree. A team can punch above its weight.

Still a shame - not having genuine exciting talent at your disposal.

 

[Azeem Zafar]

I started watching cricket from 99 (Pak v Aus in WC'99) so I usually divide our cricketing talents in 3 era's:

1. Pre 2003 Era: World Class Players who had the ability to demolish any team anywhere in the world (as Shoaib Akhtar says 'Bandh kar marna tha iss team ne sab ko), they were considered as Star/Icon players at home & greats/exhuberant talents all over the world. (Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Saqlain, Razzaq, Anwar, Inzamam, Yousuf, Afridi, Younis and the list goes on)

2. 2003-11 Era: Mediocre players, they either had little or no intentions/desire to dominate the game on the international level or they were simply less talented than the former players, the mellow leadership of Inzamam/Malik worsened the situation (Hafeez, Farhat, Yasir, Rao, Butt, Rauf, Danish, Asim, Khalil, Taufeeq, Rana, Asif, ,Sohail, Wahab, Akmals etc.)

The 03-11 era generation had some bright moments though, Younis's captaincy led them to T20 WC'09 victory & CT'09 Semifinal, they qualified for 3 consecutive WT20 semifinals & made into semis of WC'11 (ideal pithces, Spin trio) but were not short on dark moments (Oval'06, WC'07, Younis's captaincy issue'09, Aus Tour'09-10, Spot Fixing'10)

Post 2011 Era: Misbah took over the ODI captaincy, ODI rules changed drastically in 2012,13 & we failed to keep up with modern standards of cricket. Misbah did well in Tests (mainly due to his right approach in UAE conditions) but showed resistance to include young blood or change the playing style in ODI's. (Shafiq, Shan, Khurram, Latif, Shehzad, Akmals, Asad, Aizaz, Tanvir, Ehsan, Sohail, Iftikhar, Maqsood, Irfan etc.)

We went totally unprepared & undercooked in WC'15 as we were playing a 20 years old ODI cricket version. Azhar's captaincy worsened the issues after WC'15. Sarfi was than handed over the captaincy in 2017 & CT'17 victory marked the end of this era in my opinion. Youngsters like Hasan, Shadab, Babar (i really hope so), Faheem etc. are destined to be the greats of this game. Next PSL will unveil the talents like Talat/Saad/Saud/Shaheen & many others, we're bound to have a talented & star studded team before CT'21, WC'23 inshaALLAH.

 

[Abdullah719]

I can understand where OP is coming from and agree with some of the points but gotta disagree with the main point of us being content with being 'also-rans', this is the mentality that has allowed the likes of Hafeez and Malik to have such a long career. We must not fall into this trap.

The likes of Fakhar and Shadab have come into the team and have shown that they can compete at the highest level against the best. We must continue searching for such players who have the heart to fight. They may not be world beaters but one day they can be amongst the best.

Similarly, in Tests, Younis may have been the last one - but how many new players have we tried there? Azhar is top-class though he may not be among the best and we need to find more similar players. The likes of Haris were left on the bench for so long in favour of mediocrity. Usman is also someone who people expect to perform in Tests but he is yet to debut despite being in the squad on so many occasions.

Yes, it'll take time to build a team that can be competitive on a regular basis but that should be the aim.

Totally agree with regards to investing in U19, A teams as well as domestic cricket; but that's a no-brainer and pretty much every team does it, not only the weaker ones. The PCB deserve special criticism for not taking care of these aspects of our cricket. In fact, arguably, domestic pitches are one of the major reasons why we're struggling; it's not about lack of ability. So fixing that should be the main priority.

 

[kingusama92]

It can also be seen as an opportunity to build a great team from scratch.

Pakistan's biggest problem is giving A-list treatment to rubbish cricketers. It's time to get rid of them and start putting together a unit around proper player roles.

ENG has done this well and they're reaping the rewards in limited overs cricket. Find players for each role (i.e. attacking opener, accumulating middle order batsman etc.) and let them work on their skills. I'm sure this will give rise to new superstars as they grow together.

The team already has a few of these pieces in Babar, Hasan, Amir, and Shadab.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Ajmal was good but he chucked so can't call him world class. No one will call him world class. Harsh reality
Asif was world class but again got into fixing so another letdown.

 

[Inzi_fan_No_1]

Being world class is overrated.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Being world class is overrated.

Of course it is overrated...especially if you aren't bothered about winning games.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

It can also be seen as an opportunity to build a great team from scratch.

Pakistan's biggest problem is giving A-list treatment to rubbish cricketers. It's time to get rid of them and start putting together a unit around proper player roles.

ENG has done this well and they're reaping the rewards in limited overs cricket. Find players for each role (i.e. attacking opener, accumulating middle order batsman etc.) and let them work on their skills. I'm sure this will give rise to new superstars as they grow together.

The team already has a few of these pieces in Babar, Hasan, Amir, and Shadab.

If we leave emotions aside, you can't build a team from scratch when you don't have the pieces.

Pakistan don't not have the pieces - you see people inducted into the team visibly struggling with basics of the game.

That is why I am OK with horses for courses. Play Hafeez in Dubai and Haris in Auckland. All good.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I started watching cricket from 99 (Pak v Aus in WC'99) so I usually divide our cricketing talents in 3 era's:

1. Pre 2003 Era: World Class Players who had the ability to demolish any team anywhere in the world (as Shoaib Akhtar says 'Bandh kar marna tha iss team ne sab ko), they were considered as Star/Icon players at home & greats/exhuberant talents all over the world. (Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Saqlain, Razzaq, Anwar, Inzamam, Yousuf, Afridi, Younis and the list goes on)

2. 2003-11 Era: Mediocre players, they either had little or no intentions/desire to dominate the game on the international level or they were simply less talented than the former players, the mellow leadership of Inzamam/Malik worsened the situation (Hafeez, Farhat, Yasir, Rao, Butt, Rauf, Danish, Asim, Khalil, Taufeeq, Rana, Asif, ,Sohail, Wahab, Akmals etc.)

The 03-11 era generation had some bright moments though, Younis's captaincy led them to T20 WC'09 victory & CT'09 Semifinal, they qualified for 3 consecutive WT20 semifinals & made into semis of WC'11 (ideal pithces, Spin trio) but were not short on dark moments (Oval'06, WC'07, Younis's captaincy issue'09, Aus Tour'09-10, Spot Fixing'10)

Post 2011 Era: Misbah took over the ODI captaincy, ODI rules changed drastically in 2012,13 & we failed to keep up with modern standards of cricket. Misbah did well in Tests (mainly due to his right approach in UAE conditions) but showed resistance to include young blood or change the playing style in ODI's. (Shafiq, Shan, Khurram, Latif, Shehzad, Akmals, Asad, Aizaz, Tanvir, Ehsan, Sohail, Iftikhar, Maqsood, Irfan etc.)

We went totally unprepared & undercooked in WC'15 as we were playing a 20 years old ODI cricket version. Azhar's captaincy worsened the issues after WC'15. Sarfi was than handed over the captaincy in 2017 & CT'17 victory marked the end of this era in my opinion. Youngsters like Hasan, Shadab, Babar (i really hope so), Faheem etc. are destined to be the greats of this game. Next PSL will unveil the talents like Talat/Saad/Saud/Shaheen & many others, we're bound to have a talented & star studded team before CT'21, WC'23 inshaALLAH.

This is a good post. Love history lessons. Still think, there is short term pain involved in losing another 2 years before team starts to take shape.

Trouble is, Pakistan's team has been in rebuilding with sprinkling of young talent (remember Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, Junaid Khan, Umar Akmal?)

 

[dhonixi]

Last world class player of pakistan is Asif

 

[Madplayer]

Last world class player of pakistan is Asif

The last all format world class player of Pakistan was Saeed Ajmal. Call him a chucker or whatever but its true.

 

[troodon]

Shoaib Akhtar and Ajmal weee the last world class players I can remember of.

Since then, there is no one player in Pak team that could put fear in the opposition. Amir is close, but he is cold most of the times since his return.

I don’t think Misbah and YK we’re world class. Opposition would not sweat thinking about how to get them out. They were very good players at Test level and that’s about it.

 

[dhonixi]

[MENTION=131678]Madplayer[/MENTION] he is world class in chucking, not in bowling

 

[babajee]

Hasan, Shadab, Babar, Amir all have the potential to be world class.

No team has 11 world class players.

 

[Azeem Zafar]

This is a good post. Love history lessons. Still think, there is short term pain involved in losing another 2 years before team starts to take shape.

Trouble is, Pakistan's team has been in rebuilding with sprinkling of young talent (remember Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, Junaid Khan, Umar Akmal?)

We obviously need to give these boys & our upcoming generation some time & lets hope that they can maintain their hunger to be the best & avoid the fate of guys you mentioned as they were themselves to be blame for their miseries. We all know that our players are not nurtured & groomed to become world's best, it goes deep down in our society as we usually accept mediocrity as our fate. You must be familar with the backgrounds of most young players, representing Pakistan usually becomes their utmost achievement & they seldom try to take more steps ahead towards being the best in the world. The CT'17 win alongwith the return of cricket in Pakistan has already inspired thousands of young cricketers in Pakistan, Zaid Alam is the best batsman with the U-19 team in New Zealand & he mentioned that those two moments played a huge part in his pursuit of playing cricket for Pakistan. We abviously won't be able to see a flurry of world class player as issues like Favouritism, Nepotism, lack of facilities & support, lack of father-figures & local superstars are not going to disappear until the very faults of cricketing system are uprooted.

 

[Buffet]

Anyone in the top 25 rank is world class. Pakistan must be having few. World class shouldn't be mixed with potential to be great.

 

[Syed1]

Younis and Misbah were the last ones to retire.

Oh Please... Misbah was not world class.

 

[Syed1]

Seems like it is the season of wrist slitting on PP. Jeez guys... take it easy. The other team is also playing to win. Ups and downs happen in cricket. We have seen far better Pakistani sides do a lot worse. Infact I'm glad this series went this way, it showed us the areas in which we desperately need to improve. Routing through CT and then demolishing SL brushed all of our weaknesses under the carpet.

This series might help us get rid of Azhar, Hafeez and Malik. That is the biggest benefit. Plus it allowed Harry to come back in the side after three years and immediately get back to his fifty scoring ways.

 

[babajee]

Seems like it is the season of wrist slitting on PP.

Isn’t it always wrist slitting season... ?

Even when we win there’s an abundance of wrist slitters. Actually the biggest one of them all comes out of his den...

 

[Hasan123]

We have a few players who are deadwood in our ODI team. That doesn't make the whole team rubbish. Hasan Ali is a world class LO bowler. Shadab has the potential to be a world class all rounder. Same with Faheem. Amir just needs to be more consistent and he will be seen as world class.

It's not all doom and gloom.

 

[babajee]

We have a few players who are deadwood in our ODI team. That doesn't make the whole team rubbish. Hasan Ali is a world class LO bowler. Shadab has the potential to be a world class all rounder. Same with Faheem. Amir just needs to be more consistent and he will be seen as world class.

It's not all doom and gloom.

Agreed, we have a very solid nucleus of Amir, Hasan, Shadab, Faheem, Fakhar, Babar and Haris.

 

[Hasan123]

Agreed, we have a very solid nucleus of Amir, Hasan, Shadab, Faheem, Fakhar, Babar and Haris.

There is good potential in domestic cricket as well. They just need to be given a chance .

 

[light]

Not just Pakistan, many teams around the world lost that fear factor they once had. Amir could have been that guy for pak but too bad too sad kind of tale is what happened to him.

 

[Aami]

Just a few missing bats in top 6...thats it.
Nothing major.
It can be fixed.
Just have a clear idea of the sort of team you want ...and then go for it.

 

[adil_909]

Have been watching since the early 90s. Agree that this is the first time we have zero truly world class players in the squad, and it's very distressing. We've always had at least one player that could walk into most international teams, but now we're stuck. I think there are two main reasons for this change. First reason is other teams have embraced technology in terms of statistics, fitness, training techniques, and we are still stuck in 90s mentality. Second is no home matches which is resulting in lack of interest. I think the next decade will be a very tough one for the team, but if we can make it through this next decade without cricketing becoming irrelevant, then we can bounce back. But our fans should be prepared for a rough few years of cricket

 

[adil_909]

Being world class is overrated.

Great attitude...this genius probably also thinks fitness is overrated, practice is overrated, etc etc etc...

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Seems like it is the season of wrist slitting on PP. Jeez guys... take it easy. The other team is also playing to win. Ups and downs happen in cricket. We have seen far better Pakistani sides do a lot worse. Infact I'm glad this series went this way, it showed us the areas in which we desperately need to improve. Routing through CT and then demolishing SL brushed all of our weaknesses under the carpet.

This series might help us get rid of Azhar, Hafeez and Malik. That is the biggest benefit. Plus it allowed Harry to come back in the side after three years and immediately get back to his fifty scoring ways.

I had a similar conversation once at work with someone who told me, "we don't have to get all worked up about market share - the competitors are also here to make money."

Yep.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Isn’t it always wrist slitting season... ?

Even when we win there’s an abundance of wrist slitters. Actually the biggest one of them all comes out of his den...

My post is not about wrist slitting at all. It is about setting realistic targets and setting Pakistan up for as many wins as it can - given its limitations.