Cricket success

Now may be the time to retire the old cliché about Pakistan cricket being unpredictable. Its clinical win against England at Lord’s has become something of a habit for the team over the last decade. First under the mature leadership of captain Misbah-ul-Haq and now under the professionalism of coach Mickey Arthur, Pakistan has become a consistent team that concentrates on getting the basics right. Pakistan cricket may have a reputation for producing wild and exciting fast bowlers but it was the intelligent fast-medium bowling of Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali that got the job done. They stayed patient, used the conditions perfectly and exposed the poor techniques of the English batsman. Our fielding was surprisingly competent and the batsman concentrated on putting a premium on their wickets rather than getting out after playing a quick flashy innings. What was remarkable is that none of this was too surprising. We have grown to expect the Pakistan cricket team to outplay countries that enjoy resources and facilities that are denied to us. Pakistan’s still is a team that has to play its home matches abroad and yet that has not affected its ability to win. This achievement is something to be applauded.

Pakistan cricket today does not have the flashy superstars of yesteryear like Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram or Shahid Afridi. Captain Azhar Ali is a workmanlike batsman who concentrates on occupying the crease for a long time. The bowlers keep trying to hit the right line and length rather than getting extravagant swing. That the team has been as successful as it is despite all the instability and turbulence that surrounds Pakistan cricket is a testament to how well this team has gelled together. Our performance owes something to the Pakistan Super League too which has brought in a new era of sports science, better fitness level and unearthed gems like Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali – both of whom have made a quick transition from T20 to Test cricket. Given the fast financial disparity between the two countries and the inherent advantage England has in playing at home, there is no guarantee Pakistan will repeat the victory at Lord’s in the second Test. But to even win a Test against one of the best sides in the world in conditions that were tailor-made for the hosts means that the Pakistan cricket team has already done enough to make the whole country proud.