'Aaqib Einstein'

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“We’ll need a few industrial-sized fans and heaters. Maybe we’ll need some other things too; we’ll let you know. If the rest of the world can prepare pitches to suit themselves and win matches, why shouldn’t we do the same?” When a selector said this in a meeting with PCB officials, everyone was surprised—what did fans and heaters have to do with pitch preparation? One person even muttered under his breath, “Look at him—Aaqib Einstein!”

Nevertheless, the request was fulfilled. A decision was made to hold the second match on a used pitch. The English team, which had won the first Test and gained the lead in the series, laughed during their practice sessions in Multan, questioning the strange antics happening around them.

But when the match began, the ball turned so much for Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali that the English batters were left dizzy. They forgot Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan as Pakistan leveled the series.

The third Test in Rawalpindi was also played on a spin-friendly pitch, using more unconventional methods. Pakistan won that match too, and Aaqib Javed was celebrated. Even Aleem Dar was given credit for this “achievement.” A team that had been losing its home series defeated a side like England—praise was inevitable.

The English coach, Brendon McCullum, had introduced an aggressive playing style to his team a few years ago, which became popularly known as “Bazball.” Pakistan’s strategy, in comparison, was termed “Aaqib-ball.”

But when the team went to South Africa, as expected, the lack of spin-friendly pitches led to their downfall. Now, against the 8th-ranked West Indies team, the same spin-heavy strategy was adopted. Somehow, Pakistan won the first Test, but they were on the verge of losing the second.

Even in the first match, Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled against spin. In the first innings, fifties by Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan helped the team reach a respectable score. In the second innings, only Shan Masood managed a half-century, while the rest of the batters failed.

Previously, Pakistan would score double and triple centuries on home pitches, but now even single centuries have become rare. The trap set for the West Indies ended up ensnaring Pakistan as well.

After the victory against England, I, along with others, praised Aaqib Javed extensively. But then, despite winning the first match against the West Indies, I criticized the strategy on TV, which puzzled people—“The team won, so why are they saying such things?”

Now the reason must be clear. The English coach encouraged his team to play positively even in Tests, leading to consistent victories. On the other hand, our selectors and current coach made temporary decisions that worked in the short term but offered no long-term benefits. Instead, our batting lineup got exposed.

West Indian left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who hadn’t taken five wickets in an innings in his previous 17 Tests, dismissed 10 players in the last match, including seven in a single innings. Gudakesh Motie even started taking wickets with the new ball.

We managed to win the first Test, but to win the second, the remaining batters will need to play responsibly. However, how long can this “total spin formula” last?

It’s true that Australia and South Africa trap us on fast pitches, so why shouldn’t we trap them on spin tracks? But for that, you must train your batters to play on such pitches.

Do Australia, South Africa, or England install fans and heaters to prepare fast pitches? Their grounds naturally have such conditions, where local players also play domestic matches. As a result, they face no issues in Tests.

Does Pakistan prepare spin-friendly pitches for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy or Patron’s Trophy from day one? Absolutely not. These tournaments are played on batting-friendly tracks.

In such cases, if players like Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam fail, what’s their fault? They didn’t score thousands of runs on spin-friendly pitches to earn their place in the team. Even Babar Azam struggles on such tracks now.

Either decide that all domestic matches will now be played on turning tracks so that batters will adapt over a few years and start scoring runs in home Tests. But then, what about away matches?

You’ve already sidelined fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. You bring in new players, and after one or two matches, they’re dropped. Sure, many players got chances during Aqib Javed’s tenure, but how many became permanent members of the team? That’s the real question.

When you play abroad, the hosts won’t say, “Here, take these big fans and heaters and prepare the pitches to your liking.” They’ll make you play on their terms.

Then you’ll tell Shaheen, “Son, take five wickets,” and if he doesn’t, you’ll complain, “He can’t played four-day matches.”

Oh, brother! When do they even get time to play domestic cricket? Either the team is on tours, or they’re busy with leagues. How can you expect them to bowl long spells in Tests after just 2–3 domestic matches?

Did Shaheen take 116 Test wickets after playing consecutive four-day matches?

If you make turning tracks in first-class cricket, spinners will dominate from the first over, and fast bowling will gradually vanish from the country altogether. You might join a franchise, but what about the future of Pakistan cricket?

Don’t let this happen—maintain a balance. If Multan has spin-friendly tracks, Rawalpindi should have fast ones. Karachi could have balanced pitches, and Lahore can be batter-friendly. Create a mix.

Look at England and Australia—they do the same. Perth’s pitch is fast, while Sydney offers help to spinners.

Don’t endanger the future of Pakistan cricket for short-term applause. New pacers have already stopped emerging, and this will only discourage them further.

If only someone could explain this to Aaqib Bhai.