Terminal decline?

Is there a dearth of talent in Pakistan cricket? Why did we have to fall back on Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar Zaman’s replacement? Pakistan cricket used to produce winners. As regards the India-Pakistan rivalry, the boot was on the other foot in the 1980s and the early 1990s. Now, with Pakistan cricket running the risk of slipping into terminal decline, the game’s most popular rivalry might gradually lose its charm. Before the T20 World Cup last year, the PCB had appointed Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie to take charge of the white-ball and red-ball sides respectively, promising a new era.

The fallouts happened fast and both quit their jobs late last year. Aaqib Javed is the current head coach and there has been no progress or excellent results during his short time in charge. It would be very painful if Pakistan cricket also goes the way of hockey. And not just for home fans. World cricket has already lost the West Indies as a top side. It can ill-afford to lose Pakistan too, the second most popular team in the world after India.

Saman Rafiq

Islamabad