William Shakespeare’s 400th death anniversary commemorations have recently been making headlines around the world and whilst The Bard of Avon may well have left a legacy of fantastic plays and poems to please millions, one thing he did not count on was his words being used to describe the organized chaos which is the embodiment of Pakistan cricket as it stands today.
Thus, the words taken from Shakespeare’s famous play, Julius Caesar: “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war” are words that only those who have watched the crazy goings-on in Pakistan cricket can appreciate with great interest. Whether it is the manner in which past PCB Chairmen have been chosen, placed or removed or how we have seen Pakistan team captains and coaches come and go via the revolving door at the PCB headquarters, the fact remains that Pakistan Cricket and its practitioners live (and possibly thrive) on such excitement and confusion.
Despite this, the fact remains that the national team has actually won some major world honours confounding all in its wake. Whereas the “Leicester City” style miracles could well continue to happen, it is also true that the current flux in the world of Pakistan cricket cannot guarantee progress without remedial action being taken in a hurry.
To many, the problems with Pakistan cricket start at the top. The ad-hoc manner in which Pakistan Cricket Board’s management seem to change can only instill a culture of short-term thinking which seems to seep from the top all the way down to the manner in which Pakistan squad members are selected and/or discarded without any real thought. The number of players who have adorned Pakistan caps for a series or even a single match, never to be heard of again is a stark reminder of this style of management. In an environment where a coach or a selector can consider himself lucky to last the original contracted period, it is no surprise that the players themselves suffer from a high degree of insecurity which exhibits itself in their own and eventually the team’s performance.
The not-so-inspiring selection of Khurram Manzoor for the Asia Cup, or Rafatullah Mohmand’s rise to fame are just a few examples of how in recent times, short-term thinking has also played a major role in the fortunes of Pakistan cricket. Whilst these policy related problems could be excused as failed attempts to take calculated risks for the benefit of the team, Pakistan cricket continues to suffer from more serious issues which if not fixed will continue to pull them back from any progress they make.
The recent spate of leaks of highly confidential reports which lead to very public spats between all concerned was a stark reminder of why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cannot look to a bright future ahead without a healthy dose of professionalism instilled in its very core by its leaders. Whilst the recently concluded Pakistan Cup which was termed by many optimists as the equivalent of the PSL on Pakistani soil may have brought some good news for local fans, what it also highlighted rather unfortunately was the problem which has plagued Pakistan cricket for many years.
The Younis Khan walk-out mid tournament to protest against umpiring standards and his magical return in time for the final during which time the PCB went from issuing a much reviled ‘show-cause notice’ to forgiving him in a matter of few hours was one example of the problems faced by Pakistan cricket. But more was to come, this time from the direction of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, both of whom have shown scant regard for any semblance of rules of behaviour put down by their employer. Their escapades have been a source of acute embarrassment for the PCB but the “chalta hai” or “It’s OK” culture has ensured that despite a litany of misdemeanours they have always remained in contention for a place in the Pakistan team. When any attempts to enforce some sort of order is attempted, the age old excuse of “misguided talent” comes into play.
Umar Akmal’s talent is yet to mature in any meaningful way and it is heartening to see that the new Chief Selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq has wasted no time in establishing the rule of law and common-sense. This is something which he has made clear as he recently ignored both Shehzad and Akmal for the training camp for probables for the upcoming tour of England. Not only does that send a clear message that only 100% focus on cricket will be the way forward for both these players but it also sets a precedent for others to follow.
It’s obviously not all doom and gloom for Pakistan as there have been some spots of bright sunlight which seem to show that the future isn’t that bad after all. Mohammad Amir’s return is one example as is the rise of the likes of Sharjeel Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed or the emergence of new talent in the shape of Mohammad Nawaz or Mohammad Asghar or the continued brilliance of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the longer formats of the game. What is needed for Pakistan is a period of stability and some good professional management which could help lay the foundations for a better tomorrow. In the newly-appointed head coach Mickey Arthur, Inzamam-ul-Haq is likely to find a staunch ally who will insist on some basics of good behaviour and self-discipline and this partnership could augur well for a Pakistan team yearning for a way out of its current slump, especially in the limited overs formats.
