State of first-class domestic pitches - A lack of competency or deliberate ploy?

[Taaya]

There has been an emerging pattern in the first-class domestic season in Pakistan revealed by a run of low-scoring games with the seam bowlers dominating. The select highlights available reveal green,underprepared pitches. The effect is further exaggerated by a recent change in the balls used in domestic cricket, which tend to favour swing and seam bowling. The pictures and the scorecards tell a similar story.

There are two possible explanations for this:

1) The PCB, local cricket associations, and pitch curators are simply incompetent. They are demeaning the first-class competition by allowing such pitches to be produced consistently due to a of lack of thought and structure. It is simply further deterioration of our cricket. Entropy, if you will.

2) This is a deliberate plan by the chief selector and PCB in order to produce quality batsmen. It is an easier task to churn out flat-track bullies. Conversely, it is likely that most batsmen will fail on the current pitches, but perhaps the ones that shine through may be the cream that we are searching for.

Was there a motive? How will this turn out for Pakistan cricket?

 

[wrongun]

Trying to prepare for overseas cricket? Encourage quick bowlers?

 

[babajee]

All they do is encourage trundling and tuk tuk. I’d rather pitches in domestics were batsmen’s paradises so we see who the best bowlers are and develop batsmen who aren’t scared to play their shots.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Trying to prepare for overseas cricket? Encourage quick bowlers?

Nah. These wickets are basically under-prepared and dead. They leave a ton of grass to keep the pitch together for 4 days. The groundsmen don't get paid much so I don't blame them.

 

[Abdullah719]

This is a deliberate plan by the chief selector and PCB in order to produce quality batsmen.

These pitches do NOT produce quality batsmen.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

In comparison, India has improved their pitches significantly. They've probably got the most variety.

Remember watching a T20 between SA and India at Dharamshala, seeing the bounce, you'd think they were playing in Australia.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Batsmen have to spend more time on the pitch to develop their game. Such pitches will not produce any quality batsman.

It's a horrible idea for producing better batsmen and bowlers.

 

[babajee]

These pitches do NOT produce quality batsmen.

Wouldn’t be surprised if some people in the PCB think they do.

 

[MenInG]

Interesting thread

Basically bad picthes produce bad players!

 

[Deewana Mastana]

PCB has not improved the pitches all over Pakistan for a good decade now.

It has actually gone worse in the last few years where sides are being bowled out on Day 1 and using sub standard poor quality balls.

 

[Abdullah719]

WAPDA vs KRL finishes inside two days.

KRL 95 and 65 all out...

 

[Markhor]

WAPDA vs KRL - one of the most pathetic matches in Pakistan cricket history.

KRL 95 and 65 all out.

The other team scores a grand total of 167 and wins by an innings.

Seriously, what is this ? How does this help Pakistan cricket in any way ? Are the administrators aware of this farce ?

 

[Markhor]

Have Pakistani bowlers forgotten how to bowl on flat pitches ? What an insipid performance against a new Test team that were 7-4 in the 1st innings.

Time to prepare some roads this year - I want every one of these fraud fast bowlers exposed.

Let's see what they can do when ball isn't swinging and pitch gives them no assistance. Separate the wheat from the chaff.

 

[Hasan123]

Until we improve the pitches in domestic cricket, our test team will go nowhere.

 

[asifp]

Najam Sethi is too busy focused on:

1. India
2. PSL
3. Media and glamour of bringing international cricket to Pakistan

Our domestic structure has been broken for too long and he needs to pay attention there. TIll that does not get fixed, we will not be world beaters.