Who is watching Pakistan's domestic cricket?

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

There are so many domestic games happening all over Pakistan all the time...but who is watching?

1. Certainly not Inzamam. He does his selections through PSL. Maybe will attend a game or two of Pakistan cup.
2. Not any member of selection committee. In football, scounts, managers, players are all over the world scouting talent.
3. Not Mickey Arthur. Premier League managers in even their off days are attending games all over Europe. But Mickey has no investment in Pakistan's domestic structure.
4. Not any member of Pakistan's coaching staff. Azhar Mahmood, Grant Flower, anyone going to a Bahawlpur game?
5. Not Mani. One would think a new CEO will traveling all over the country looking at the state of his empire. Mani prefers boardrooms and powerpoints.
6. Not ex-players in any position of authority. People such as Shoaib, Sikandar Bakht, Aqib, Razzaq, Mushtaq, Miandad, Saqlain etc.
7. Not Pakistani commentators. Ramiz, Wasim, Waqar, even Bazid. People who are shaping opinions about cricketers.
8. Not PCB Management. Not Subhan or Wasim Khan (has he been outside the Gaddafi yet?).
9. Not media. Apart from reporting scorecards, there is no investment by anyone in the domestic scene. Everyone is reporting national team.
10. Not sponsors. No one from a Habib Oil or a Unilever is at Quetta or Kohat stadium watching a game - thinking of a scheme of making money off it. Or even invested in a very useful school program.
11. Not you and I. Ordinary Pakistani cricket lovers. Maybe [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] and some other PPers. But not enough in numbers to shape opinions.

It is hard to substantiate whether Pakistan has talent or not, when no one is watching anything.

Even more, it is hard to hold anyone accountable for lack of performance of Pakistan team when no one has any knowledge or data to draw from.

Who will guard the guards?

 

[MenInG]

You can watch much as you want but sometimes selection is based on judgement calls - beauty in the eye of the beholder thing

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

You can watch much as you want but sometimes selection is based on judgement calls - beauty in the eye of the beholder thing

You are right as long as there is a beholder Generally the beholders are not found anywhere near first class matches

 

[Bewal Express]

You can watch much as you want but sometimes selection is based on judgement calls - beauty in the eye of the beholder thing

That is true, but we have seen for a decades that we are rolling the dice rather than have people actually doing their job. I have said many times that the PCB is a gravy train for people who want to get paid for not doing anything.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bazid actually does follow domestic cricket. Take his name out.

 

[Bewal Express]

Bazid actually does follow domestic cricket. Take his name out.

He is the only one, because no PK selector ever does. Selectors should be out watching and talking to captains, umpires and players

 

[moghul]

Typical attendees of Pakistan's FC cricket games, one police man and a dog.

 

[MMHS]

I am sure Md Wasim watches lots of domestic games. May be now he is PTV coach, but even before that I have seen him quoting based on actual game.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Bazid actually does follow domestic cricket. Take his name out.

In this PSL, I found him wanting. He didn't know a lot about some of the new one's and didn't push the case for many players. His chosen world cup team was quite disappointing too - opinions aside.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I am sure Md Wasim watches lots of domestic games. May be now he is PTV coach, but even before that I have seen him quoting based on actual game.

OK so we found one! And even he I am not sure has any influence on selections.

It's a big problem. Big leagues around the world, especially for a one-sport country, there will be scouts and talent hunters all over the country, attending games, making notes, reporting back to management. Mickey will be going around a bit as well, involved in the domestic scene.

It is just a very non-accountable system at the moment.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

In this PSL, I found him wanting. He didn't know a lot about some of the new one's and didn't push the case for many players. His chosen world cup team was quite disappointing too - opinions aside.

Which players did he not know about? He's supposed to be a neutral commentator. He can't push for or go against anybody.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Just my general impression. He used to be full of small stories and details about individual players especially new ones. This time, I found his commentary generic. For example, don't remember him telling Abid or Saad's rise. Or I.May have missed it.

 

[unemployedgm]

Several years ago the New York Knicks hired Phil Jackson to be their President of Basketball Operations. Jackson won 11 Championships as the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. In the process he coached arguably 4 of the greatest NBA Players of All-Time.

Jackson was an utter failure as President of Basketball Operations. Apart from having to be incredibly smart, the best General Managers or Presidents of Sporting Operations have to be hard working. Jackson had no appetite for attending non-descript college basketball games in the winter months. His failure to observe and analyze college basketball in an effort to unearth draft prospects was a major part of his downfall.

The same goes for Domestic Cricket. Prior to moving on from cricket, I've had the opportunity to watch a lot of domestic and club cricket in the Caribbean and Pakistan. Apart from the teams and the extended management involved with those teams, there is not a soul in the stadium. IMO one basic characteristic of a Good Selector is the DESIRE TO FIND TALENT. TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, YOU HAVE TO ENJOY OBSERVING CRICKET IN EMPTY STADIA.

 

[gazza619]

Several years ago the New York Knicks hired Phil Jackson to be their President of Basketball Operations. Jackson won 11 Championships as the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. In the process he coached arguably 4 of the greatest NBA Players of All-Time.

Jackson was an utter failure as President of Basketball Operations. Apart from having to be incredibly smart, the best General Managers or Presidents of Sporting Operations have to be hard working. Jackson had no appetite for attending non-descript college basketball games in the winter months. His failure to observe and analyze college basketball in an effort to unearth draft prospects was a major part of his downfall.

The same goes for Domestic Cricket. Prior to moving on from cricket, I've had the opportunity to watch a lot of domestic and club cricket in the Caribbean and Pakistan. Apart from the teams and the extended management involved with those teams, there is not a soul in the stadium. IMO one basic characteristic of a Good Selector is the DESIRE TO FIND TALENT. TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, YOU HAVE TO ENJOY OBSERVING CRICKET IN EMPTY STADIA.

Good observation. I hope somebody from PCB team think read your post.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Several years ago the New York Knicks hired Phil Jackson to be their President of Basketball Operations. Jackson won 11 Championships as the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. In the process he coached arguably 4 of the greatest NBA Players of All-Time.

Jackson was an utter failure as President of Basketball Operations. Apart from having to be incredibly smart, the best General Managers or Presidents of Sporting Operations have to be hard working. Jackson had no appetite for attending non-descript college basketball games in the winter months. His failure to observe and analyze college basketball in an effort to unearth draft prospects was a major part of his downfall.

The same goes for Domestic Cricket. Prior to moving on from cricket, I've had the opportunity to watch a lot of domestic and club cricket in the Caribbean and Pakistan. Apart from the teams and the extended management involved with those teams, there is not a soul in the stadium. IMO one basic characteristic of a Good Selector is the DESIRE TO FIND TALENT. TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, YOU HAVE TO ENJOY OBSERVING CRICKET IN EMPTY STADIA.

Superb post. I totally agree. Pakistani selectors and PCB management have to get out of the boardrooms and away from their small circle of advisors.