CricDigs Blogs

Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes may just be changing. The nation was once a proud cricketing power and boasted of legends like Akram, Miandad and Imran Khan. However, the country’s internal turmoil has swept its cricketing fraternity and their loyalty into absolute embarrassment. First, a majority of their players defected to the ICL, leaving the national squad severely depleted. This has been accompanied by the unceremonious sacking of their national coach and the continuous questions that are being raised about the authority of their present captain — Shoaib Malik. The young and somewhat vulnerable Pakistani captain has been full of praise for his young and inexperienced team as they blanked out the West Indies, 3 to nil during the 3-match series held in Abu Dhabi.

This clean sweep has re-ignited the lost hope in many of the dejected Pakistani players and fans. Reports are that talks are being held to make the Sharjah series an annual venture as Pakistan is no longer a favoured international venue. The nation has repeatedly failed to host any of the scheduled international matches and has lost its prestige as a major sub-continental team. The nation might still boast of maddening cricket fans but just fanaticism can’t guarantee safety to international players. With the Sharjah tournament coming up and India promising to visit Pakistan later this year, this dispute would be resolved to certain extent. The team still enjoys the loyalties of experienced war-horses like Younis Khan and there must be renewed energy in the team with them white-washing the West Indies.

That is not the end. There are reports that the players who had been banned from the national duty due to being associated with the ICL may be allowed to play again!! Don’t be surprised if this is just a temporary arrangement with the Indian tour coming up. If that happens just imagine the kind of squad Pakistan would have to choose from. They have desperate young talents both in the present and the ICL team and if they come together under the umbrella of experience of some of the more aged stalwarts like Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan. They still have a pretty enviable bowling attack with the left-swinging Tanveer, Umar Gul and if Rana too is drafted, Pakistan would be well-served. They sure as hell aren’t in a position as comfortable as that of India, but if things start working out, the team might prove to be more than just worthy contenders.