Post World Cup 2011
Reaching the World Cup semis can be termed, at the most, a satisfactory show and not an extra ordinary performance as being projected by most of the circles including the highest office of the land.
There were so many grey areas seen during the World Cup - some very glaring.
The fielding and especially catching in the semi final was the worst seen in a single match of the entire World Cup by any team. It wasn’t much better in most of the other ties. The wicket keeping seen in entirety was the poorest among the 14 competing sides. The batting approach, strategically as well as tactically, in the all important match at Mohali was beyond comprehension. The captaincy might be put as motivating but certainly not brainy.
When Pakistan faltered at the same stage in the World Cups of 1979, 1983 and 1987, the returning boys received no accolades- not even the finalists of 1999. In fact, I have talked to a few former stars of the 79, 83 and 87 squads. They are astonished especially at the bounty bestowed on the players.
It might be argued that given the circumstances surrounding Pakistan cricket in recent times, principally the spot fixing issue, the team’s performance should be applauded. But these problems were Pakistani cricketers’ own doing and also that of the incompetent PCB headed by the indispensible chairman.
Post World Cup, the first assignment is in the Caribbean and the team has already left for the five ODIs and one Twenty20.
If Pakistan is without Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umer Gul and Younis Khan due to retirement, poor form, rest, etc. then the West Indies have also dropped players like Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul – their three best batsmen of recent times- at least for the first two ODIs. They will also be without Kieron Pollard, one of the most explosive batsmen in both the shorter formats, due to IPL.
In fact, quite a few sides have already started rebuilding. Sri Lankan skipper Sangakarra led his side to the final and also had a splendid World Cup as a player yet he has decided to relinquish captaincy with the 2015 World Cup in mind.
Pakistan have selected five uncapped players in wicket keeper Mohammad Salman, all rounder Hammad Azam, batsman Usman Salahuddin and left arm pacers Junaid Khan and Sadaf Hussain for the limited overs leg. Their performance would be crucial for the future plans of Pakistan especially in the shorter formats.
Reaching the World Cup semis can be termed, at the most, a satisfactory show and not an extra ordinary performance as being projected by most of the circles including the highest office of the land.
There were so many grey areas seen during the World Cup - some very glaring.
The fielding and especially catching in the semi final was the worst seen in a single match of the entire World Cup by any team. It wasn’t much better in most of the other ties. The wicket keeping seen in entirety was the poorest among the 14 competing sides. The batting approach, strategically as well as tactically, in the all important match at Mohali was beyond comprehension. The captaincy might be put as motivating but certainly not brainy.
When Pakistan faltered at the same stage in the World Cups of 1979, 1983 and 1987, the returning boys received no accolades- not even the finalists of 1999. In fact, I have talked to a few former stars of the 79, 83 and 87 squads. They are astonished especially at the bounty bestowed on the players.
It might be argued that given the circumstances surrounding Pakistan cricket in recent times, principally the spot fixing issue, the team’s performance should be applauded. But these problems were Pakistani cricketers’ own doing and also that of the incompetent PCB headed by the indispensible chairman.
Post World Cup, the first assignment is in the Caribbean and the team has already left for the five ODIs and one Twenty20.
If Pakistan is without Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umer Gul and Younis Khan due to retirement, poor form, rest, etc. then the West Indies have also dropped players like Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul – their three best batsmen of recent times- at least for the first two ODIs. They will also be without Kieron Pollard, one of the most explosive batsmen in both the shorter formats, due to IPL.
In fact, quite a few sides have already started rebuilding. Sri Lankan skipper Sangakarra led his side to the final and also had a splendid World Cup as a player yet he has decided to relinquish captaincy with the 2015 World Cup in mind.
Pakistan have selected five uncapped players in wicket keeper Mohammad Salman, all rounder Hammad Azam, batsman Usman Salahuddin and left arm pacers Junaid Khan and Sadaf Hussain for the limited overs leg. Their performance would be crucial for the future plans of Pakistan especially in the shorter formats.
