Pakistan Cricket: A Catch - 22 for the Men in Green - Opinion
With Pakistan’s recent losses in the T20 and One Day International (ODI) series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 and then an unimpressive show in the first Test, the Men in Green seem to be stuck in the pits of trouble deeper than anyone had imagined.
Plagued with fixing allegations and lack of international cricket at home, the Pakistan cricket team that once was considered among the very best in the cricketing world, seems to have lost its fangs.
Reports of infighting regarding the ODI captaincy have also hurt the already tarnished image of the team.
The arrival of experienced coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Davenell-Frederick-Whatmore-c52571, was thought be Pakistan’s ticket out of trouble, however, the Australian seems to have his hands stuck in quicksand, as he has so far failed to exploit the full potential of the Pakistani boys.
Nonetheless, he cannot be blamed, since this is his first full series as the head coach with the Pakistan national team. On the other hand, the players in the squad are not alien to the international arena, as most of them have tasted success and defeat at the highest level, and should be considered pros than anything less.
Then where is the problem? Perhaps this is the million dollar question that everyone wants to answer, but has till now failed to come up with an appropriate reply.
After the suspension of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Asif-c1993 due to spot-fixing, many believed that the country had enough backup players to replace Asif and Amir especially.
However, that turned out to be otherwise, as Pakistan are clearly struggling in the bowling department, where for the first time in their history, spinners have been given the main role instead of pace bowlers.
And now Pakistan has put the burden on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 to carry the bowling department, but need we remind the cricket board, that teams cannot win without genuine pace bowlers.
Countries like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 take pains to assure the presence of at least two quickies in the national squad.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 to carry the pace battery, which is also putting strain on his performance.
Unfortunately, the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, has so far failed to groom a pace bowler with a charisma of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080.
Pakistan know to win by their pace attack and without pace bowlers in their arsenal, they are winning two or three matches in a tournament, but failing when the going gets tough.
Youngster http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037, is a favourable induction in the team, but the pacer is injury prone, which means there needs to be two to three backup pacers.
Fast bowlers hunt in pairs, and unfortunately, Pakistan are lacking this very essence needed for a potent pace attack.
Without backup players, who can actually perform at the international level, and can take the pressure of playing against the best from other nations, changing skippers will not work - a practice so blatantly exhibited by the PCB.
Instead of changing hands of captaincy, the board should focus on improving the standard of coaches at the national academy, and appoint former players who actually are good at identifying and grooming raw talent. By doing so, Pakistan just might be able to raise the standard of their game.
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