An Opinion by Mohsin Atique
Pakistani cricket is marred with many pitfalls due to consistent wrong policy decisions by the board. In the first place, selection of chairman of cricket board and governing body is questionable. PCB has become more of a political entity than a sports control body. Wrong policies lead towards compromised choices which later rot like a dead animal and pollute whole environment. The game which was loved by millions in the country is equally hated now.
Can this category B level team be pulled back to a international level competitive team?
Gary Kirsten should hold all powers with an agenda of making this team #1 across all formats and winning atleast 2 trophies in next 5 years. Pull out Wahab Riaz from any portfolio in the PCB management.
Separate red ball traditional test match team from white ball team.
Shan Masood has proved himself fit to lead red ball team . Selection of test team should be based upon performance in 1st class cricket.
Rizwan should be made white ball captain. ShaheenAfridi & B Azam need rest from leadership role. Naseem or Fakhar can be given charge for deputy.
Few players like Shadab, Iftikhar, Azam, Imad, Usman Khan, Usman Qadir, Usama Mir needs to play first class domestic cricket for 2 years before they come back for international cricket.
M Haris, Saim, HaseebUllah, Agha Salman, Saud, Farhan, Abrar, Wasim Jnr, Aamir Jamal, Irfan Khan Niazi should be considered for all camps and they should be developed for future roles.
Enough of Sarfraz and others. Let’s move on. Plan for 2027 WC with Gary kirsten we can play well in SA.
Medium pacers & spinners to be identified at school level and they should be polished.
School level cricket to be improved by developing structure and systems. PSL should only be used for revenue of PCB & players not for selection.
Mindset trainings are mandatory for players.
Fitness should be first and foremost criteria irrespective of . E.g even if Azam Khan scores 100 off 30 balls in domestic he cant play for PCT. Fittest players should be preferred.
Yoyo test to start again. We need professional golf trainers to polish six hitting skills.
Players diet should be tracked. Anyone not following routines should be punished.
Lastly data analysts should be made part of management team not PR agents.
Chairman Selection Committee can be Younis Khan, Azhar Ali or even Misbah Ul Haq as they know this young group of players.
Vision should be to win minimum 2 trophies in next 5 years. Next odi WC in 2027 should be our main priority.