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Have you noticed how India has been consistently producing players who excel in both T20s and Test cricket, while Pakistan seems to fall short when it comes to the longer format?
Take players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant as examples. These players have shone in the IPL and transitioned beautifully to Test cricket. One of the biggest reasons for this is India’s strong domestic structure. The Ranji Trophy provides a tough platform where players develop the temperament and skills needed for the red-ball game. This is supported by the IPL, which isn’t just about entertainment but also a training ground where young talent learns to handle pressure, face world-class bowlers, and improve their fitness and adaptability—qualities that are invaluable in Test cricket. On top of that, Indian players benefit from excellent mentorship, with coaches like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri guiding them to evolve from T20 stars into Test performers.
In contrast, Pakistan struggles to replicate this success. While players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Haider Ali have performed well in the PSL, they’ve been inconsistent in Test cricket. A weak domestic structure is one of the major reasons for this. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy lacks the competitiveness needed to prepare players for the challenges of Test cricket. For example, in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024, most games have finished before Day 4, which means Pakistani players miss out on crucial red-ball experience. To make things worse, frequent changes in the coaching staff disrupt continuity and deny young players the steady mentorship they need to develop. Adding to these challenges is Pakistan’s over-reliance on the PSL, which overshadows red-ball cricket and leaves players unprepared for the patience and technical demands of Test cricket.
What do you think Pakistan should prioritize to fix this issue—domestic cricket, coaching, or a new approach to red-ball cricket? Do you feel that the PSL’s popularity is overshadowing other formats in Pakistan? And is the gap between the two countries’ cricket systems becoming too wide to close?
Take players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant as examples. These players have shone in the IPL and transitioned beautifully to Test cricket. One of the biggest reasons for this is India’s strong domestic structure. The Ranji Trophy provides a tough platform where players develop the temperament and skills needed for the red-ball game. This is supported by the IPL, which isn’t just about entertainment but also a training ground where young talent learns to handle pressure, face world-class bowlers, and improve their fitness and adaptability—qualities that are invaluable in Test cricket. On top of that, Indian players benefit from excellent mentorship, with coaches like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri guiding them to evolve from T20 stars into Test performers.
In contrast, Pakistan struggles to replicate this success. While players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Haider Ali have performed well in the PSL, they’ve been inconsistent in Test cricket. A weak domestic structure is one of the major reasons for this. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy lacks the competitiveness needed to prepare players for the challenges of Test cricket. For example, in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024, most games have finished before Day 4, which means Pakistani players miss out on crucial red-ball experience. To make things worse, frequent changes in the coaching staff disrupt continuity and deny young players the steady mentorship they need to develop. Adding to these challenges is Pakistan’s over-reliance on the PSL, which overshadows red-ball cricket and leaves players unprepared for the patience and technical demands of Test cricket.
What do you think Pakistan should prioritize to fix this issue—domestic cricket, coaching, or a new approach to red-ball cricket? Do you feel that the PSL’s popularity is overshadowing other formats in Pakistan? And is the gap between the two countries’ cricket systems becoming too wide to close?