Rayyman
Test Debutant
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 15,182
Pakistan has a rich history in the cricketing world. They've won the World Cup (1992). Been the #1 team in Tests (2016). They've also produced some of the most superlative cricketers to walk on the face of the Earth. Just a few of them: Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. There is no player today from Pakistan who one can safely say is among the best in the world. Currently, Pakistan is ranked 5th in Tests and 8th in One Day Internationals. It's embarrassing for many Pakistan fans that their team is ranked below Bangladesh in the 50-over format of the game. What has gone wrong?
Let's start this analysis with a look into Pakistan's batting. In the last 5 years, Pakistan's highest scorer is Mohammad Hafeez, who gets a lot of flack these days for his modest strike-rate. Hafeez is Pakistan's top-scorer in this time period, but he is ranked 19th! among all leading scorers. He does this at a mediocre average of 35 and 80 runs per 100 balls. One would say that for Pakistan to become a top ODI team, they need a batsman who is at least top 10 in the ICC Rankings. All hope isn't lost. The emergence of Babar Azam as Pakistan's best batsman has given belief that their is a bright future in this batting lineup.
The opening pair has always been a problem for Pakistan. Regardless of which format it is. Currently, there is no opener who has established his place in the squad. Modern cricket requires openers who average 40+ at 90+ SR (David Warner, Quinton De Kock, Jason Roy, etc.). Instead, guys like Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad are given plenty of chances to prove their worth. All the while maintaining strike rates under 80. Their might not be many openers available capable of a good production in ODIs, but the selectors need to give chances to players in domestic who either have shown potential, or performed consistently.
The middle order has always been a strength for Pakistan. Accumulators and/or rotators of strike are aplenty, and the spots from 3-5 in the batting order seem to be in good hands with the likes of Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed and others available. The predicament in the current team is the lack of power hitters. Imad Wasim currently is batting at #7 and has done well so far. Averaging 40+ at a SR of 100; But he can not provide a 35 in 15 balls every game. Pakistan recently had the luxury of Shahid Afridi. Who could take them to a strong total after a leisurely start to the innings by the rest of the batsman. Afridi though, was a once in a generation player, and one of the best ball strikers of all time. Imad, sadly, is not. At least not yet.
There have been many failures in this slogging role. Pakistan have tried guys like: Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Anwar Ali; But they haven't been good enough. Again, more players at the domestic level need to be played in the international circuit. Going back to players who are "Tried and Tested Failures" will not solve anything. It is clear that there is some level of bias among the selectors and management. Until this is solved, Pakistan will not be able to develop a strong batting lineup which can consistently score around 320+ runs in an innings. This type of run-scoring needs to be worked on for Pakistan to become a better ODI team.
Unfortunately, there are a plethora of dilemmas for Pakistan in 50-over cricket. Another one is that of the bowling. The era of Misbah ul-Haq was one where his team would often scrape their way to around 250. Then defend that score with their strong bowling attack. As Misbah left, batting became easier in ODIs. The team went on to give up a record 444 over the course of 50 overs. Bowling is still Pakistan’s strength though. As shown in Australia, where Pakistan bowled them out for 260 (a feat not many teams can do) and chased it down. Albeit, with a high level of difficulty. So they need to maintain this discipline in their bowling. Because Pakistan ended up giving 360 to Australia later in the series. Tried and tested failures continue to disappoint. One would give leeway for Hasan Ali for being inconsistent. Mainly because of his inexperience at the international level; But players like Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz have to be on their “A-game” or else be kicked out of the team. Younger bowlers need to be given chances. Junaid and Riaz got to be experienced because they were selected and given long runs in the team. Some might cite a lack of options in the pace department, but it is not hard to outdo the mediocrity of these two aforementioned names. Recently, Rumman Raees and Usman Khan Shinwari were selected for a T20I series v.s. West Indies. They returned home with one game between them. It is clear that Junaid Khan is not the same bowler he once was. He has lost pace and most of his seam as well. The accuracy is also not as meticulous as it once was. An average performance against West Indies, and an awful showing in the Pakistan Cup, and this man shouldn’t have been selected for the team. Wahab Riaz is on his last legs and Pakistan needs replacements for him. He does have pace, but will be officially 33 at the 2019 WC. So that pace won’t last for long. One of the best pacers of all time- Waqar Younis, retired at just 31 years old. Riaz should be looking to do the same. And soon. It’s time to give a new fast bowler an opportunity.
These are the main reasons why Pakistan is a paltry ODI team. They still remain in the middle of the pack in Test matches; But most recently they were the #1 ranked team. It has been a quick plumet. In the span of just 6 months. To add salt in the wounds, Misbah ul-Haq and Younis Khan are retiring. So Pakistan could be slipping even further in the rankings. Especially with recent success of Bangladesh and New Zealand in the longest format.
A fall to the bottom of the Test table can be prevented. Promising players like Sami Aslam, Hasan Ali and Usman Salahuddin must be selected regularly in the playing XI. Because Rahat Ali, Imran Khan Jr., Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor and others are proven failures. Selectors must not get enraptured by their performances in the below-par domestic setup. The local setup must be improved, so cricketers are ready for the challenge that is Test cricket.
Building a strong team across all formats is not easy, but Pakistan are not helping their cause by incessantly selecting “Tried and Tested Failures.” The Australian cricket team has dominated international cricket for years. Prior to that, it was the West Indies teams who were on top of the world. Pakistan should build a dynasty even better than that. They can do it. And hopefully, they will.
Let's start this analysis with a look into Pakistan's batting. In the last 5 years, Pakistan's highest scorer is Mohammad Hafeez, who gets a lot of flack these days for his modest strike-rate. Hafeez is Pakistan's top-scorer in this time period, but he is ranked 19th! among all leading scorers. He does this at a mediocre average of 35 and 80 runs per 100 balls. One would say that for Pakistan to become a top ODI team, they need a batsman who is at least top 10 in the ICC Rankings. All hope isn't lost. The emergence of Babar Azam as Pakistan's best batsman has given belief that their is a bright future in this batting lineup.
The opening pair has always been a problem for Pakistan. Regardless of which format it is. Currently, there is no opener who has established his place in the squad. Modern cricket requires openers who average 40+ at 90+ SR (David Warner, Quinton De Kock, Jason Roy, etc.). Instead, guys like Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad are given plenty of chances to prove their worth. All the while maintaining strike rates under 80. Their might not be many openers available capable of a good production in ODIs, but the selectors need to give chances to players in domestic who either have shown potential, or performed consistently.
The middle order has always been a strength for Pakistan. Accumulators and/or rotators of strike are aplenty, and the spots from 3-5 in the batting order seem to be in good hands with the likes of Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed and others available. The predicament in the current team is the lack of power hitters. Imad Wasim currently is batting at #7 and has done well so far. Averaging 40+ at a SR of 100; But he can not provide a 35 in 15 balls every game. Pakistan recently had the luxury of Shahid Afridi. Who could take them to a strong total after a leisurely start to the innings by the rest of the batsman. Afridi though, was a once in a generation player, and one of the best ball strikers of all time. Imad, sadly, is not. At least not yet.
There have been many failures in this slogging role. Pakistan have tried guys like: Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Anwar Ali; But they haven't been good enough. Again, more players at the domestic level need to be played in the international circuit. Going back to players who are "Tried and Tested Failures" will not solve anything. It is clear that there is some level of bias among the selectors and management. Until this is solved, Pakistan will not be able to develop a strong batting lineup which can consistently score around 320+ runs in an innings. This type of run-scoring needs to be worked on for Pakistan to become a better ODI team.
Unfortunately, there are a plethora of dilemmas for Pakistan in 50-over cricket. Another one is that of the bowling. The era of Misbah ul-Haq was one where his team would often scrape their way to around 250. Then defend that score with their strong bowling attack. As Misbah left, batting became easier in ODIs. The team went on to give up a record 444 over the course of 50 overs. Bowling is still Pakistan’s strength though. As shown in Australia, where Pakistan bowled them out for 260 (a feat not many teams can do) and chased it down. Albeit, with a high level of difficulty. So they need to maintain this discipline in their bowling. Because Pakistan ended up giving 360 to Australia later in the series. Tried and tested failures continue to disappoint. One would give leeway for Hasan Ali for being inconsistent. Mainly because of his inexperience at the international level; But players like Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz have to be on their “A-game” or else be kicked out of the team. Younger bowlers need to be given chances. Junaid and Riaz got to be experienced because they were selected and given long runs in the team. Some might cite a lack of options in the pace department, but it is not hard to outdo the mediocrity of these two aforementioned names. Recently, Rumman Raees and Usman Khan Shinwari were selected for a T20I series v.s. West Indies. They returned home with one game between them. It is clear that Junaid Khan is not the same bowler he once was. He has lost pace and most of his seam as well. The accuracy is also not as meticulous as it once was. An average performance against West Indies, and an awful showing in the Pakistan Cup, and this man shouldn’t have been selected for the team. Wahab Riaz is on his last legs and Pakistan needs replacements for him. He does have pace, but will be officially 33 at the 2019 WC. So that pace won’t last for long. One of the best pacers of all time- Waqar Younis, retired at just 31 years old. Riaz should be looking to do the same. And soon. It’s time to give a new fast bowler an opportunity.
These are the main reasons why Pakistan is a paltry ODI team. They still remain in the middle of the pack in Test matches; But most recently they were the #1 ranked team. It has been a quick plumet. In the span of just 6 months. To add salt in the wounds, Misbah ul-Haq and Younis Khan are retiring. So Pakistan could be slipping even further in the rankings. Especially with recent success of Bangladesh and New Zealand in the longest format.
A fall to the bottom of the Test table can be prevented. Promising players like Sami Aslam, Hasan Ali and Usman Salahuddin must be selected regularly in the playing XI. Because Rahat Ali, Imran Khan Jr., Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor and others are proven failures. Selectors must not get enraptured by their performances in the below-par domestic setup. The local setup must be improved, so cricketers are ready for the challenge that is Test cricket.
Building a strong team across all formats is not easy, but Pakistan are not helping their cause by incessantly selecting “Tried and Tested Failures.” The Australian cricket team has dominated international cricket for years. Prior to that, it was the West Indies teams who were on top of the world. Pakistan should build a dynasty even better than that. They can do it. And hopefully, they will.
Naa it didn't take more than an hour I think. I had exams so that's why I was off PP.
Appreciate your effort.
