Is Pakistan’s spin-friendly approach in Test cricket really that bad?

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL

The introduction of spin-friendly pitches in Pakistan has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue these surfaces are harming Test cricket by making matches end too quickly and putting the home team at a disadvantage. However, the issue lies not with the pitches but with the batters' inability to adapt.

Test cricket is a format that rewards patience, focus, and solid technique. Recent performances by players like Kraigg Brathwaite, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan show that success on these pitches is achievable if batters approach the game with the right mindset. 

On the other hand, reckless approaches, such as Kamran Ghulam’s and Mohammad Huraira’s dismissals in the third innings of the second Test against West Indies, highlight the need for more discipline.

Spin-friendly pitches aren’t as bad as they are portrayed. Batters need to step up and improve their technique against spin, much like legends such as Younis Khan did. If teams play with patience, matches can last longer, and the true quality of players can shine through.

Why is no one talking about the potential of the batters now? They were the main reason for Pakistan's Test series losses against Australia and South Africa, where we were unable to make 250+ runs on bowling-friendly wickets and were bowled out for under 200 on batting-friendly wickets in Perth, Cape Town, and against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi too. 

For a batter, it should never be easy to score hundreds in Test cricket. A good batter would still make his mark.  

As for fast bowlers, PCB should back them and prepare pitches that suit the new ball and swing the ball at the start for them, supporting them in Sena tours and long-term planning.

Pakistan used to have the same mantra in the UAE and got huge success over there under Misbah ul Haq. It's not our fault that the opposition doesn't have world-class spinners like us, as their bowlers get the same number of opportunities as us on the same pitch—just like we saw against the West Indies in the second Test, where Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie made their mark.

When England wins at home, or even South Africa and Australia, we don't see their journalists complaining about the pitches and how their spin bowling departments are getting destroyed due to pacer-friendly conditions. What would they do "in a long-term plan" when they visit Asia? But now some journalists and wannabe experts have issues with our approach because they don't care about winning or losing; they just want their favorites to score tons of runs, whether the team is winning or not.

Anyway, there is nothing that should stop us from playing in the World Test Championship final in 2027-28 if batters play up to their full potential and everyone stops supporting their below-average performances. 

We, as fans, should come out of praising cover drives and praise the ones who are scoring well, regardless of shots.

Pakistan’s management should also focus on preparing domestic players for such conditions by ensuring they get ample practice against quality spin bowlers.

Moreover, these pitches give Pakistan a significant home advantage. Spin bowlers like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have proven to be match-winners, while Abrar Ahmed also shined in recent matches. Their performances create an exciting spectacle for fans. Critics who call for flat tracks forget how boring and ineffective those matches can be, often leading to high first-innings scores but inevitable defeats on the final day.

Pakistan has a golden opportunity to qualify for the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. With six Test series lined up, including three at home, the team can make good use of spin-friendly conditions to secure crucial wins.

Home Series:

- vs. South Africa  
- vs. New Zealand  
- vs. Sri Lanka

Away Series:

- vs. Bangladesh  
- vs. West Indies  
- vs. England

For home matches, Pakistan can rely on its spin attack to outclass teams like South Africa and New Zealand, who generally struggle against spin. However, batters must also improve their skills against spin, as this will be key to sustaining success.

The goal should be that when visitors come to us, they should be scared of our spin department, and that's exactly what is going to happen now, each and every time, if Pakistan manages to play good cricket and practice upon it.

Winning away series in Bangladesh and the West Indies is also crucial. Both are achievable targets if players perform to their potential and team selection is based on merit rather than external pressures. 

The England series, although challenging, isn’t as intimidating, given Pakistan’s respectable record in English conditions.

While spin tracks provide an edge at home, Pakistan must ensure that pitches support fast bowlers with a green top and swing-friendly conditions in the early overs. This will allow pacers to play a vital role and prepare them better for overseas tours as well. Also, pacers would most likely finish off the tailenders quickly, which has cost Pakistan in some recent series.

It’s important to move away from the mindset of celebrating aesthetics, like flashy cover drives, and instead, praise players who deliver results. For Pakistan to excel, the focus must shift to performances rather than reputations built on style over substance.

Ex-cricketers and some journalists have been quick to criticize Pakistan’s approach, citing the need for "long-term planning." Ironically, many of these critics offered no solutions when Pakistan struggled on flat tracks over the last three years. Now that the team has started winning with a new strategy, these voices have resurfaced.

Other cricketing nations like England, South Africa, and Australia tailor their pitches to suit their strengths without facing similar backlash. Their journalists don’t question pace-friendly conditions, so why should Pakistan’s spin-friendly tracks be scrutinized?

Pakistan has a strong chance of dominating Test cricket if the team and management stick to their strengths. By using spin-friendly pitches wisely and preparing batters to handle these conditions, Pakistan can build a formidable home advantage. At the same time, supporting fast bowlers and focusing on their development will ensure success overseas.

With the right strategy and mindset, Pakistan can not only reach the WTC final in 2027 but also establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket. Let’s focus on skill and adaptability, rather than falling for criticism and outdated narratives.