Lahore, Feb 27: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has said that he has been saying for the last four years that Pakistan cricket is dying and there is need to revive it with proper and planning and sincere efforts.
Talking about the poor structure of Pakistan domestic cricket, Shoaib said: “It’s not stagnation but it’s the collapse of cricketing culture.
It’s a failure of Pakistan’s first-class cricket, of its grassroots.
It’s a failure of living legends who failed to inspire, including myself.
I also blame myself as we failed to inspire youngsters.
He said that after 1995, the Pakistan team was troubled a lot because of match-fixing allegations.
“Pakistan continued to lose in the wrong manner in the 1999 World Cup finals, despite having a great team, but lacking in leaders.
The team has been leaderless for over a decade which is because of failure of the structure of Pakistan cricket.
He added: “All of this has nothing to do with Misbah.
When I say Misbah can do it, it’s because I have faith in him.
I know he’s a brave guy, who can pull it off.
Having said that, this is the weakest Pakistan team we have ever seen and it reflects a failure of the administration and the first-class structure.
After Pakistan lost to India first and then to West Indies badly, Shoaib said: “After Pakistan lost badly against India, I got a lot of criticism which really boiled up my blood.
What I really wanted was Misbah to take a lead.
I really think Misbah can manage if he comes in a one-down position and takes charge of the batting, because I know this is an immature Pakistan batting line-up, which only Misbah can lead.
If he takes charge, comes in after the openers and bats till the 30-35th over, when Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi can come in and play the only game they know.
“Pakistan has three batsmen who don’t know how to defend.
I have always maintained that Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood are modern day Shahid Afridis.
They don’t know how to build the game, but they know how to hit the ball.
That was what my criticism was all about.
If Misbah doesn’t do that, I can assure you that Pakistan team will not go through to the quarter-finals,” the ex-pacer added.
About selection of Pakistan team, Shoaib said: “I think losing Saeed Ajmal and Hafeez as an opener and a leading off-spin bowler, I really think Misbah doesn’t have the bowling attack, neither does have a mature batting line-up which can take him through to quarter-finals.
When asked which team was favorite to lift the cup, Shoaib replied: “I think South Africa has a chance; they had an off day, but they are contenders.
New Zealand and Australia are favourites for sure.
The team with all the belief and faith is India.
When asked if he was offered a coach or selector job by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), what would be his response, the Rawalpindi Express said: “I have always voluntarily tried to help the national team.
The reason why I said these harsh statements are because I want people to know that Pakistan cricket is dying.
Someone has to speak the truth.
In order to become better you have to admit that you are wrong.
It’s a failure of the PCB, but at least, it is trying.
Najam Sethi is a brave man, but he needs to get rid of the clutter within the governing board and first-class cricket, and we need to open up cricket at the grassroots level.
“Pakistan cricket needs to improve to generate revenue.
They players need to think out of the box in order to make money, since they have been isolated for a number of years now, and will continue to be like this.
Since players are not getting enough pay in first-class cricket, and don’t have inspiring heroes, and losing like this, you’re eventually losing the interest of your fan base,” he added.
Comments
Add new comment