Does the Pakistan team need an overhaul? – Part 3 – ICC World Cup 2011
Wicket-keeper (continued…)
One thing that goes against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kamran-Akmal-c70122 is the fact that the criticism he is receiving is not just based on his recent form in the ICC World Cup 2011, but it has been an issue for quite some time. Dropped from the squad on one occasion, Pakistan seemed
to have a ready-made replacement in the form of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zulqarnain-Haider-c98685.
Though the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zulqarnain-c98682 saga, is perhaps best to save for another time. Kamran’s inconsistency and knack of missing crucial wicket taking opportunities effect more than just himself.
A team plays with more confidence and belief when they are backed by a solid keeper. They throw at the wickets harder knowing that the keeper will collect and make the most out of it, the bowlers will experiment more and vary their deliveries knowing the
keeper will adapt without prior warning.
Sadly when the side does not believe in the keeper it affects their own confidence in those subtle ways and recently Akmal has not been evoking the feeling among the side like a top level keeper should.
One can only wonder how different the World Cup may have panned out if Pakistani legend Moin http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 was still keeping wickets for his side. That is what Akmal should be worried about. The fact that when he is playing, the crowd is thinking of what could be,
instead of being excited over what can be.
Leadership
Much was made over the captaincy before the tournament and there was a lot speculation as which of the two Pakistan senior players would lead their side into the World Cup. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 were the two contenders, as they waited anxiously
to find out which one would bear the responsibility.
The decision was announced very close to the start of the tournament, but the fact that the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket Board left the final verdict so late added a lot of undue drama.
On the field, Afridi is a very capable captain. He brought unity amongst the team and sense of togetherness never before seen in a Pakistani side for which he should be commended.
His handling of tricky questions in press conferences and honest answers has endeared him into the hearts of the public. In fact he has been a role model, as much as a captain.
He emerged from the World Cup as a true leader and has the respect of the entire side, which for a captain is absolutely vital. The way Afridi kept his cool when his side dropped Sachin Tendulkar countless times was the reason his team did not panic, as
much as they probably could have.
In the end, Afridi was and still is the right choice, as Pakistan’s One Day International captain. On the other hand, off-field issues do need some sorting.
The way the Pakistan Cricket Board deals with various issues is deplorable. Politics and power struggles define how decisions are made in the PCB and over the years it has hampered the growth and development of the side.
All in all, Pakistan’s cricket team does not need an overhaul, but rather some fine tuning and tweaking. The side has a balance between youth and experience, yet having said that, plans ought to be laid for the future so that coming generations can emulate
and further the achievements of the current side.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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