Is ship of Pakistan cricket sinking? – The News International

Gloom engulfed entire country after bleak ending of Champions Trophy
Although I am no statistician yet can safely guess that Pakistan must be the first defending champions to be shown the door as early as after two matches only.
It reminded all of us of 2017 when a team of youngsters led by the dynamic and brilliant captain Sarfraz Ahmed lifted this ICC trophy after defeating world’s best teams on dew soaked grass top seaming wickets and unfamiliar cloudy days. Every player gave his hundred percent and they were well gelled under their visionary captain, who was to be removed soon under a well hatched conspiracy under instructions of politician turned cricketer who was chief executive.
On the contrary there were a series of steps taken this time sounding the death-knell of team Pakistan. In my previous articles after successive defects in world cup and T20 International World Cup etc, I had pointed out that the team was led by a timid captain in the field involved with some key players. Only the then Chief Selector Inzaman ul Haq resigned after the scandal came to lights. There seemed no discipline in the team with powerful groups of players operating with impunity.
It was said in public that the teams were composed of ‘Friends Eleven’ and dictated selection committees.
At that juncture Mohsin Naqvi spoke in very tough and clear terms that culprit players were identified and there will be a major surgery in the team before Champions Trophy.
But it did not happen the first reverse gear was put by him when Waqar Younus was named in the ranks of PCB rather as a main soul to run the affairs of the PCB.
A series of calamitous happenings ensued. Those who know cricket and have experience started predicting a disaster. Aqib Javed who was a normal medium pacer in the past was dug to head selection and coaching.
Not a proper team was selected which had no regular pair of openers and only one specialist spinner on Pakistan and Dubai’s spinning tracks. All home teams select players to suit the wickets they prepare but Pakistan selectors went haywire and either depended on part time spinners or out of from fast bowlers. All other world team had specialist spinners. The result was obvious. A huge number of ex-cricketers, analysists and critics objected to the faulty team selection very vocally but all fell on deaf ears of selectors. Referring to the much trumpeted surgery, all accountability was brushed aside. One of the main players expected to go under the knife was rather rewarded and appointed new captain.
Pardon to a person is good but rewarding him only reflects that discipline has no place in Pakistan cricket and players’ power seems supreme. While those who had given a good account of themselves in the domestic cricket were ignored. There was a total fiasco in PCB indicating the coming debacle. This was seen by everyone in advance and the nation relied on prayers only hoping against the hope. Events that unfolded were the logical conclusion of the unprofessional and subjective handling of the momentous task.
The dismay has not ended as yet after the humiliating shameful defeat in Champions trophy. To a surprise of many Chief Selector Aqib was retained with absolute powers and selected the teams for New Zealand tour. This all leaves much to be desired. Agha Salman who did well as a batter in ODIs has an experience of only six T20 International matches with an aggregate of 50 and an arrange of 10 runs. He has also not shown any prowess as leader in the past. Are we continuing to make a laughing stock of ourselves? An out of form Shadab has been recalled and made vice captain. There is talk of the town that Shadab will be waiting in the wings to replace Agha Salman after his expected failure.
As it had been suggested earlier I still hold the belief that in Champions trophy and after, for at least two years Sarfraz should have been reappointed as captain with a prospective talented deputy to be groomed in those two years to lead the side. The issue of captaincy needs to be settled with maturity instead of bias and playing musical chair. PCB should appoint unbiased persons with analytical capabilities and foresight.
Rizwan who is a grouping expert in the team had a poor show as a captain. Showing confidence but lacking any plans whatsoever to go about in matches against New Zealand and India. He needs to be removed from all formats.
The strategy of modern day cricket with aggression in power-play, consolidating in the middle overs through rotation of strike and pinch hiking in death overs be adopted.
India has lifted the Champions trophy 2025 but with downright advantage bestowed upon them by ICC. This was purely partial that other teams were not given same level playing fields. All teams travelled across Pakistan continuously and few to Dubai and back while Indian team rested continuously in Dubai with same stadium and same playing conditions and most friendly crowd.  

source