Former Pakistan cricketer warns of consequences of spin-friendly pitches

Former cricketer Tanveer Ahmed expressed his thoughts on Pakistan's recent Test victory against the West Indies in his latest YouTube video. He raised critical concerns about the current state of Pakistan’s cricket strategy, focusing on the roles of spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, and the challenges faced by batters and fast bowlers in domestic and international cricket.  

Tanveer began by humorously appreciating the win but pointed out the lack of substantial improvements in Pakistan’s overall cricketing framework. He noted that the conditions in domestic cricket significantly contribute to the current state of the game.  

“Our first-class cricket starts on worn-out pitches where spinners bowl from the first over, leaving no opportunities for fast bowlers to develop. The likes of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali thrive in such conditions, but it doesn’t prepare them for international challenges,” he said.  

Tanveer highlighted the over-reliance on spin-friendly pitches, stating that both Sajid and Noman have become the focal points of Pakistan’s Test cricket due to favorable conditions. He shared statistics to illustrate their recent performances:  

“Noman Ali has taken 26 wickets in his last three Tests, including the recent match against the West Indies, while Sajid Khan, with 28 wickets in his last three matches, has also benefited significantly from spin tracks,” he added.  

However, Tanveer emphasized that their effectiveness diminishes on pitches with minimal turn, as seen in previous matches against England.

“These spinners don’t have the ability to perform on tracks with less assistance," he said. (It should be noted that Sajid Khan and Noman Ali hadn't played against England in the first Test—they were called up between the Test series in second and third Tests.) He further contrasted them with former spinners like Danish Kaneria, who excelled under diverse conditions.  

. He explained that these pitches destroy batters’ confidence and do not allow fast bowlers to hone their skills. “Scoring 50 runs on these pitches feels like scoring a century. Our batters are left struggling even in home conditions,” he remarked.  

He also pointed out that Pakistan’s fast bowlers are not being adequately utilized. Highlighting the case of Khurram Shahzad, he questioned why the bowler was given only one over in the match. “Fast bowlers need to develop muscle strength and adapt to tough conditions. How will they learn if we don’t provide them opportunities?” Tanveer asked.  

Tanveer compared Pakistan's cricketing approach with other teams, such as India, South Africa, and New Zealand, where pitches offer balanced conditions, and spinners, fast bowlers, and batters all thrive. He cited examples like Ajaz Patel and Keshav Maharaj, who have proven their worth on less spin-friendly tracks.  

He also criticized Mohammad Rizwan's comments in a press conference, where Rizwan mentioned difficulties faced on tracks in South Africa. Tanveer said, “Every country has varied conditions, and our players have made runs on those pitches before. Instead of justifying poor performances, we need to focus on adaptability,” he added.  

In his concluding remarks, Tanveer warned that such one-dimensional cricket could isolate Pakistan on the international stage. He predicted that if the current trend continues, stronger teams might avoid playing in Pakistan, leaving the country to compete against weaker opponents.  
“Big teams won’t take us seriously if we keep playing on these subpar pitches. It’s time to adopt a balanced approach to ensure the long-term growth of Pakistan cricket,” he advised.  

Tanveer Ahmed urged the cricket board to rethink its strategy, particularly regarding pitch preparation and player development. “This defensive mindset is ruining our cricket. We need to empower our fast bowlers, support our batters, and play competitive cricket to match global standards,” he concluded.