Amidst all the disappointment of getting knocked out of the 2015 World Cup, the Pakistan fans should take great pride in the fact that their team did not go out with a whimper.
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Instead, led by the irresistible Wahab Riaz, they fought like caged lions and gave the co-hosts a mighty scare before bowing out.
There is no doubt that Pakistan, with their trademark unpredictability, make any match they are involved in that much more exciting. But there are signs that the Pakistan Cricket Board need to take some drastic measures as soon as possible, otherwise the future looks bleak.
The most important area that needs to be addressed as of now is regarding the fitness of players. It is not mere bad luck that Pakistan lost one key player after another to injury.
It started with Junaid Khan, continued with Mohammad Hafeez and ended with Irfan Khan. They were three players who could have taken Pakistan all the way. The management needs to impress upon the players, especially who have top contracts, that they have to whole-heartedly follow the wishes of the team’s physio.
And of course, they also need to appoint the best possible trainer. It’s important Pakistan work in that area because with better fitness comes improved fielding.
Pakistan’s fielding was rarely up to the mark, and compared to teams like Australia, South Africa and India, they were hopeless. No example is better than Shane Watson’s catch that was dropped by Rahat Ali at a crucial juncture.
What a moment to drop a catch like that. Watson mistimes to Rahat at fine leg but inexplicably it goes through his hands. 84-3 (16.3) #pinny
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 20, 2015
It really was the easiest of chances and moments earlier, he was lucky to have caught David Warner in the deep with a technique that was totally flawed.
I have seen Pakistan team practice their fielding, and I have seen teams like India and Australia. There is such a massive difference in intensity that the Pakistan players look amateurish.
Obviously, there is no point even going into things like lack of international matches in the country, which does play a huge role in shaping up the national team. But the PCB need to overhaul the domestic structure and ensure that those who look worthy of making it to the national side get more experience of playing formats longer than Twenty20.
The way they got out yesterday – all 10 players caught – says a lot about their batting. They need to have a lot more patience.
As one Pakistani journalist pointed out, most of the current lot grew up playing 70 per cent of its matches in the T20 format. The players want to stay on the wicket, but their mindset is geared towards T20 and aggressive approach.
And with their batting mainstay Misbah-ul-Haq close to retirement, it is only going to get more difficult for Pakistan.
