Pakistan cricket – Roll of thunder hear my cry (Part 3)
The perfect analogy for the domestic cricket structure of Pakistan would be that of two schools. The first school is equipped with a brilliant curriculum, highly certified teachers along with state of the art facilities. Whereas the second school has no
curriculum, few facilities, incompetent teachers and an oxymoronic environment. Even if one were to put the finest student in the second school, it would be likely that the student would find himself failing or simply dropping out. If the same student having
spent time in the worst possible conditions is then sent to the first school where he is expected to perform well, it would be unlikely that he would be able to cope with the conditions.
Pakistan has managed to perform decently on the international circuit not because of the domestic system but rather, despite it. Therefore it would be safe to assume that there is no lack of talent in the country just that the talent is not properly channelized
and hence we find ourselves posed with the dilemma of a struggling cricket team.
South African Cricket Association has developed the cricketing infrastructure to such an extent that 5 year old kids enrol into the soft ball Mini Cricket programme – where as many as 100,000 children play and practice the game with coaches. In the next
step, the best players are selected to play hard ball school cricket where they have formed teams of under 13’s, under 15’s, under 17’s and under 19’s. Throughout this period, players are honed and coached by the best in the field and therefore by the time
they are ready to play for the national team, their skills are polished in a way that brings out the best in them.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 boasting a prolific international career, where he became the highest rated test bowler in the world.
In England, county cricket is region based where each one of the 18 teams represent a particular region. These teams are managed by the regional cricket associations and because of the high level of competition manage to attract a large number of spectators.
County cricket in England is considered to be one of the best domestic first class season in the world.
The solution to make Pakistan cricket rise from the ashes does not require any rocket science. Unfortunately, the man at the helm of affairs in the PCB is an unelected politically appointed sycophant who has the authority to spend money as he pleases.
Former cricketer Amir Sohail had suggested that the chairman should sack every employee of the PCB since Mr Butt himself takes all the decisions. “It would save a lot of money which is being dispensed as salaries to the gauntlet of the sycophants,” he said.
Just as a team accepts its praise and accolades there is a need for them to accept constructive criticism as well. When compared to the domestic structure of other countries, it becomes evidently clear that the reason Pakistan has been struggling in the
international arena is due to the disparity between the local first class system that prevails in the country, compared to that of all other major test playing countries. Therefore, there is a dire need for the PCB to take an active interest to improve the
domestic cricket structure in Pakistan.
If the readers wish to further read about the possible changes that can be made to the domestic cricket structure, kindly refer to the six part article I wrote previously which highlights the solutions and changes the PCB can make to the prevalent structure.
The links are given below:
http://www.senore.com/Why-Pakistan-Cricket-has-hit-rock-bottom-the-fall-and-a-possible-resurgence-Part-1-a36603
http://www.senore.com/Why-Pakistan-Cricket-has-hit-rock-bottom-the-fall-and-a-possible-resurgence-Part-2-a36611
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755
http://www.senore.com/Why-Pakistan-Cricket-has-hit-rock-bottom-the-fall-and-a-possible-resurgence-Part-4-a36791
http://www.senore.com/Why-Pakistan-Cricket-has-hit-rock-bottom-the-fall-and-a-possible-resurgence-Part-5-a36794
http://www.senore.com/Why-Pakistan-Cricket-has-hit-rock-bottom-the-fall-and-a-possible-resurgence-Part-6-a36796
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