Why is the Pakistan cricket team facing a decline? Let’s look at the top 5 reasons.
The Great Match Fee Disparity:
In Pakistan, a player gets 80,000 for a first-class match, while an Indian cricketer gets 8 lakhs per match. This is why Indian players still prioritize Test cricket, while Pakistani players are crazy about league cricket.
2. The Not-So-Lonely Coach:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired 17 support and coaching staff with the current team, including a separate coach just for going to the washroom.
Instead of spending on cricket infrastructure, PCB’s spending on these unnecessary roles has resulted in only 7 out of 18 international grounds being functional in Pakistan, while India has 70 such grounds.
3. Overlooking Workload Management:
Did you know that Shaheen Shah Afridi is bowling at a pace that would make a rickshaw racer jealous? His overs have hit a record high, turning a once-speedster into a medium pacer!
Shaheen Shah Afridi has bowled 1608 overs since his international debut, the highest for any Asian fast bowler. As a result, a bowler who could bowl at 154 KPH at one time has now become a medium-pacer.
4. From Potential to Dust:
While we were busy dreaming of cricketing glory, our focus on player development took a backseat. The result? We’ve witnessed the rise and fall of talents like Umer Akmal and Ahmad Shahzad.
5. Nonsensical Rules Hindering Player Progression:
Now, let’s chat about some rules that are making us go, “Seriously, what were they thinking?” and throwing a spanner in our players’ cricket journey. Hold on to your cricket hats:
4-Day Matches with an 80-Overs Cap: This rule restricts the 1st innings of a 4-day match to 80 overs. Sounds tactical, right? But it’s like trying to dance with one foot. The rule limits our players’ chances to master essential skills, like spin bowling and batting with 2nd new ball.
Under-23 Player in Every Team: Now, this rule forces each team to have an under-23 player. Nice idea, but it might bench some deserving players, disrupting the fairness of the game. Let’s pick our champs based on skill, not just age.
No Under 19 Players in T20 Cup: Another head-scratcher is the recent decision to exclude Under 19 players from the National T20 Cup. This decision raises questions about limiting the exposure and experience of promising young talents, hindering their natural progression within the cricketing landscape.
In a nutshell, these rules need a bit of a rethink. We want our players to shine and enjoy the game, not get stuck in weird restrictions. Let’s keep it fair and fun out there on the cricket field!
