shaz619
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Runs
- 38,388
- Post of the Week
- 7
Firstly, before I get some expected hostile responses; you'd know that I am a BIG fan of both men for what they have done for Pakistan cricket it is unprecedented.
Both are world class performers and on their day can do well enough to influence a Test to the point where a victory is forced, quiet frankly if they were replaced from the word go maybe there'd be batsman who are a little more consistent but don't exactly win a match in the same fashion e.g Khan at the Oval.
Lets just forget their performances since the England series and assume hypothetically that at the age of 40+ they are both amongst the fittest on the planet and in great form! EVEN THEN, a logical justification can not be given for their SELECTION.
Why?
Because the FUTURE of PAKISTAN CRICKET is being SACRIFICED, now believe you me; am not saying there is a Viv Richards waiting in the wings or a matching winning version of Sachin Tendulkar
but when two 40+ players are constantly picked we will never be able to find ourselves in a position where upcoming talent is developed for the international level and invested in when they are given the opportunity to put the green shirt on.
The dangerous precedent set advocates the selection of TTF's past their prime who are scoring at the domestic level, the trickery forces people to accept their selection because on the surface it is morally correct; but what they don't understand is that the international level is a completely different ball game, I recall a famous quote from Michael Holding but feel free to correct me; it went something like this "Prior to my debut, I bowled 9 overs in the nets just fine! but at the international level after 5 overs I felt like I had completely gassed like the Ultimate Warrior during his ring entrance before a match, people don't understand how pressure can affect your overall output" that's just an example.
Another one, Frankie Gavin and Audley Harrison were fantastic boxer's at the amateur level but when they made the transition to the pro's they were found out given their lack of strength mentally and not being able to step up a level. Examples in cricket, Mark Ramprakash, Graem Hick and Mark Butcher also failed to step up despite their stellar records at the FC level, if they had represented Pakistan perhaps they'd have played 200 Tests each!
LITERAL domestic performances are not always a great indication of whether or not these oldies still have it, sure there are rare exceptions e.g Mr.Cricket but the general guideline and consensus is this, the older you get the HEART may want to FIGHT, but the BODY and MIND just do not RESPOND. When we look at the domestic charts, there needs to be a certain limit on the age for selection. I'd personally include one oldie in the team and pick my best batsman and bowlers under the age of 28 when looking at the charts and judging their talent in person; it's the only way we can benefit in the long term.
Now, we are seeing many players come out with such statements "If Misbah/Khan can, why not me? age is only a number" Whether it is a number or not is completely irrelevant! constantly picking oldies will take the Oxygen out of Pakistan Cricket, we can not continue on life support.
There you have it, I have provided a logical explanations for never picking Khan or Misbah based on the hypothetical scenario that both are fit and in form at 40+. However, it cannot be denied that in reality their performances in recent times arguably warrant an immediate drop from the Pakistan team; even more so in the case of Misbah ul Haq.
Potentially we could have put up with one Oldie (Preferably Younis Khan), but two Oldies? Astaghfirullah forgive me lord.
Both are world class performers and on their day can do well enough to influence a Test to the point where a victory is forced, quiet frankly if they were replaced from the word go maybe there'd be batsman who are a little more consistent but don't exactly win a match in the same fashion e.g Khan at the Oval.
Lets just forget their performances since the England series and assume hypothetically that at the age of 40+ they are both amongst the fittest on the planet and in great form! EVEN THEN, a logical justification can not be given for their SELECTION.
Why?
Because the FUTURE of PAKISTAN CRICKET is being SACRIFICED, now believe you me; am not saying there is a Viv Richards waiting in the wings or a matching winning version of Sachin Tendulkar
but when two 40+ players are constantly picked we will never be able to find ourselves in a position where upcoming talent is developed for the international level and invested in when they are given the opportunity to put the green shirt on. The dangerous precedent set advocates the selection of TTF's past their prime who are scoring at the domestic level, the trickery forces people to accept their selection because on the surface it is morally correct; but what they don't understand is that the international level is a completely different ball game, I recall a famous quote from Michael Holding but feel free to correct me; it went something like this "Prior to my debut, I bowled 9 overs in the nets just fine! but at the international level after 5 overs I felt like I had completely gassed like the Ultimate Warrior during his ring entrance before a match, people don't understand how pressure can affect your overall output" that's just an example.
Another one, Frankie Gavin and Audley Harrison were fantastic boxer's at the amateur level but when they made the transition to the pro's they were found out given their lack of strength mentally and not being able to step up a level. Examples in cricket, Mark Ramprakash, Graem Hick and Mark Butcher also failed to step up despite their stellar records at the FC level, if they had represented Pakistan perhaps they'd have played 200 Tests each!
LITERAL domestic performances are not always a great indication of whether or not these oldies still have it, sure there are rare exceptions e.g Mr.Cricket but the general guideline and consensus is this, the older you get the HEART may want to FIGHT, but the BODY and MIND just do not RESPOND. When we look at the domestic charts, there needs to be a certain limit on the age for selection. I'd personally include one oldie in the team and pick my best batsman and bowlers under the age of 28 when looking at the charts and judging their talent in person; it's the only way we can benefit in the long term.
Now, we are seeing many players come out with such statements "If Misbah/Khan can, why not me? age is only a number" Whether it is a number or not is completely irrelevant! constantly picking oldies will take the Oxygen out of Pakistan Cricket, we can not continue on life support.
There you have it, I have provided a logical explanations for never picking Khan or Misbah based on the hypothetical scenario that both are fit and in form at 40+. However, it cannot be denied that in reality their performances in recent times arguably warrant an immediate drop from the Pakistan team; even more so in the case of Misbah ul Haq.
Potentially we could have put up with one Oldie (Preferably Younis Khan), but two Oldies? Astaghfirullah forgive me lord.
It's very dangerous, the seniority complex needs to end and our selection policy needs to change or else this will behave as a chain reaction "If Misbah can, why can't I?!" 
I got another 16 years till I hit the golden 40 to attain the goldy seniority status which shall ensure me selection forevs! 
