Fight against rivals, not each other

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“Just wait and see what happens to this team in Australia and South Africa. The PCB officials will realize managing cricket affairs is no easy task. We are ready to hurl criticism at them,” remarked a “cricket expert” a few months ago. Since the advent of TV channels, everyone seems to have become an expert. There are people labeled as cricket analysts who might secretly wonder, “Am I really an expert?”

In the past, when the team’s performance was poor, all fingers pointed at the cricket board. Some disliked the chairman, others had issues with the captain, and some were upset over selectors ignoring their favorite players. However, in the current era, the cricket board seems stronger under the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi. Being the interior Minister and an influential figure, even journalists and former Test cricketers criticize with caution. Many believed the team would struggle during important tours, putting pressure on the board. However, despite the team losing to even the USA in the World Cup, nothing significant happened—just mild criticism in hushed tones.

Recently, the team’s performance has shown a surprising improvement. Defeating strong opponents like Australia and South Africa in ODI series on their home turf is no small feat. Although the T20 performance remains lackluster, Pakistan’s Test cricket has amazed the world. A few months ago, there were fears that Pakistan cricket might face the same fate as hockey. Now, with the recent improvements, it seems the team could soon reclaim its position among the top sides.

For a long time, people lamented the lack of new talent in the country, but that narrative has been proven wrong. Youngsters like Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha have cemented their places in the team. The biggest issue was the flawed approach of the selectors. It’s not necessary to bring in all new players at once—experienced players can also perform well. Fitness doesn’t have to match Olympic athletes; match fitness is enough. Select players suited to the pitch and conditions. Aaqib Javed applied this principle, bringing in 38-year-old spinner Nauman Ali alongside Sajid Khan, who helped Pakistan win a series against England.

In the ongoing Test series against South Africa, 34-year-old pacer Mohammad Abbas was given an opportunity. He led the team to the brink of victory in the first Test, although things turned around in the end. Critics often dismissed Abbas due to his age and lack of pace, but his consistent performances in English county cricket and the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy earned him a comeback. Abbas might not be a speedster, but his success lies in accuracy, swing, and variety, making him unique. He often gets wickets through bowled, LBW, or catches behind the stumps, and he thrives on fast, bouncy pitches.

However, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the squad raised questions. Selector Azhar Ali had asked him to play a four-day match, but Shaheen couldn’t comply, reportedly upsetting the selector’s ego, which led to his omission. Interestingly, despite similar circumstances, Babar Azam was included in the team. Meanwhile, rumors were spread that Shaheen didn’t want to play Tests, although he remains keen to participate in all formats. If rest was needed, why was he allowed to play in the Bangladesh Premier League? Such decisions reflect poorly on the system.

Our country’s problem is that former cricketers, once given positions, often develop inflated egos, forgetting the temporary nature of their posts. This arrogance has created tensions among some former teammates and the selection committee members. Questions also arise about why, if Shaheen wasn’t selected, Mir Hamza wasn’t played in Centurion. At least one left-arm pacer should have been in the squad.

Babar Azam, after two years, finally scored a fifty, raising hopes for continued good form. Shan Masood is maturing as a captain, supported by his teammates. Although Pakistan once again missed the ICC Test Championship final, sustained performances could change that in the next cycle.

Mohsin Naqvi deserves credit for curbing player power, which allowed new players to get opportunities and contribute effectively. However, much work remains. Domestic cricket requires significant improvements, and it’s worth questioning how much new talent emerged from initiatives like the Champions Cup. The chairman must also personally oversee the PSL and address inefficiencies in various board departments by appointing competent individuals.

Now that power lies with the board, it must be fully utilized to bring lasting reforms in cricket. The national team’s fighting spirit is commendable and must be preserved. Winning matches requires effort on the field, and players should focus on battling opponents, not each other. Rivalries over captaincy have brought more harm than good. Thankfully, players seem to be understanding this now.