Pakistan's Cricket revival long over due
Pakistan made history by beating Australia in a test match after 15 years, the win itself was not that significant but all the prerequisites surrounding the win were. Pakistan suffered a nightmare tour of Australia earlier losing all 3 test matches, followed by 5 ODIs and a T-20. There was more than just revenge on the minds of the young Pakistani team but also the incentive of proving to the world that they actually are capable of beating the Aussies.
The 2 match test series is over and a new chapter is about to begin. The win at Headingley should not only be seen as an end to a 15 year losing streak against the Aussies. But it has to be a new beginning towards greater horizons for Pakistani cricket. A young team led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket?
Salman Butt showed that he does have the mettle to lead the talented but troublesome Pakistan team, his comments at the end of the 2nd test summed up why he is the right man for the job. Pakistan cricket for almost the last 2 decades has been the victim of a policy that can be termed as ‘one step forward 2 steps back’.
Since the World Cup of 1992 whenever Pakistan has had a bad tour there has been havoc in the board and the team. The captains are changed with the drop of a hat. Be it middle order batsmen or openers soon there is a big change that sees a number of players dropped. The same old faces replace them and an unhealthy cycle continues. This cycle continued for a long time and the results are there for everyone to see. One does not have to go too far back in the past to find an example. In the first test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 handed in his retirement from test cricket for the ‘3rd ’ time. Soon there was talk of bringing in Mohammad Yousuf, who had retired from international cricket following an indefinite ban from PCB. Another former Captain Younis Khan was also brought into consideration. When PCB chairman Ejaz Butt was approached he said yes he has had some discussions with both and they may be included. Thank God there was not much time between the 2 test matches for the inevitable to happen yet again. Pakistan went into the match with the same young side, and came up with the goods. All the talk of bringing back the seniors died down and the youngsters were applauded from every corner.
Going back to the tour of Australia, when there was an inquiry made into the disastrous tour it was clear that various players had vested interests and were playing for themselves rather than their team. In comparison when one looks at players like Umar Amin and Azhar Ali who made their debuts at Lords they sure look like players who are playing for nothing but national pride and putting in every bit of their skill and ability for the team.
That is the sort of spirit Pakistan needs, instead of once again bringing back players who have no interest in playing for the country and are there just to prove a point.
One can hope that regardless of what transpires in the 4 match test series between Pakistan and England, the new generation of Pakistan cricket will be given a chance to prosper. There is a strong feeling among all that given proper time and guidance this young team can become world beaters.
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