Dilemma of Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan got test match status at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 28, 1952 and played its first test match in Delhi in October 1952. Its first victory was against England in 1954 at The Oval in which Fzal Mahmood took 12 wickets. Pakistan played first home series in January 1955 against India, at Dacca.

Since the very inception of the test and one day cricket, the Pakistani team has been faltering, dwindling and then finding strong footing . This has happened not once but for ever. This behavior of the team has earned it the epithet of the most unpredictable team of the cricket world.

Pakistan cricket team is a strange one. It is said that the biggest consistency of Pakistan team is its inconsistency. It became the winner of the world cup with a brave come back but later it was defeated by the cricket babies e. g. Ireland and Bangladesh. Nobody can claim that he has understood the Pakistani team. Even the bookies of the world are strangled in this dilemma.

Why this always happens? What are the reasons behind this fluctuating performance? Is the PCB responsible for this dilemma? Are the coaches the cause of this fall? Or the cricketers themselves are to blame? Let us try to understand the psyche of this team.

The team of upsets

Pakistani team is a strong but capricious team. It is always impulsive and unpredictable. The 1986 victory at Sharja, was a last-ball victory for Pakistan against India, with Javed Miandad's memorial sixer. The 1992 World Cup victory was due to miraculous comeback of this royal team. The biggest upset in World Cup 2007 history was also from Pakistan when it received a shocking defeat from Ireland who was playing their first tournament. All the team was bowled out just for 132 runs resulting into the humiliating first round exit from the competition.

These are few illustrations otherwise the history of Pakistan cricket is replete with this kind of abnormal performance. They are the greatest one day and may shrink from a team of your neighborhood the next. Why there is no consolidation in performance? Why this team does not perform steadily? You may find the reasons and causes of this dilemma in this article.

Adhocism

Adhocism is the main reason behind the scene. There are no permanent policies as well officials who could run the affairs of the cricket. The captain of the team is not sure about the participation in the next competition. The coach is not certain about his job and above all super fit players may be asked to sit outside. This adhocism has gnawed at the very roots of the cricket in Pakistan.

Political involvement in the board of cricket

Pakistan cricket board, the governing body of cricket is one of the major causes of these phenomena. Often the chair and executives of the board are appointed the persons who have no cricketing background. The non professionalism at the upper level gives rise to the non professional attitude of the players also. A man in the helm of the affairs of the cricket should be a perfect cricketer who would know all the pros and cons of the game.

Player politics

Our players are themselves a cause of this dilemma. They make lobbies of their own to survive in the team and get captaincy. The talented players who fail in getting the favors of the band of cricketers are either ousted or dumped to the background. Sometimes the players show their power by disagreeing and violating the laws of the board. This brings a very negative impact on the whole body of the game.

Gambling and match fixing

There are a lot of players of great fame and qualities that have been found involved in gambling and match fixing. Many players of high profile have been playing the game with the bookmakers. Many of them have been dropped from the national squad and few have been banned forever.

No planning and proper management

It is said that fail to plan is the plan to fail. So Planning is the key to success but unfortunately our board does not do so. It works like a postman. It's planning ends on declaring the squad and schedule of the cricket. There is no long term planning for the game or the players. Strong coordination between coach, captain and players should be developed. Emphasis is not given to physical and psychological fitness of the players. PCB has not evolved a proper check and balance system; hence some players succeed to manage their place in the national team despite their inconsistent performance.

No talent hunting

Our local cricket associations are not patronized by the PCB and are devoid of proper counseling and guidance along with resources. This prohibits the talent hunting which is a part and parcel of maintaining the standard of the game.

Attitude of the individual players

Players who get some fame are perverted by the popularity. They often involve themselves in merry making. During toure abroad, some players are reportedly seen in the dance clubs, cat walk shows and casinos. They do not follow the code of ethics. They spend nights at such places as are the anathema on the name of the game. How such players can give good performance the next day? The players do not show the desire or the motivation to improve the deficiencies.

Foreign coaches

The PCB tries its best to invigorate the team by hiring the foreign coaches but it often goes contrary to its credit. And some times it proves fatal to the Pakistani cricket. As you know that the coach makes a winning strategy but lack of communication between the players and a foreign coach create many problems. Many former local players can deliver much better results than foreign coaches.

Ball tempering

Though never proved, ball tempering is a permanent blame on the Pakistan cricket team. A lot of controversies have been aroused due to this misuse of the cricket ball. Many teams are now in the habit of blaming the young blooming talents of Pakistani team to darken their future.

Conclusion

Talented players are a great asset of a team but only talent is not enough to become a shining star. Discipline is the driving force of talent and this is wanting in Pakistani cricket. Pakistan has always produced great players. But an individual success is only a partial success. The real victory is the victory of the team. A team which could not play exciting and inspirational cricket would perform like giants one day and like pigmies on the other day. It is rightly said that only talent is not enough. A permanent cricketing behavior is needed to touch the heights of glory of fame and fortune.



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