There is a famous saying, “don’t show me the plans, show we the results.”
That is what Pakistan cricket needs. There are plans aplenty, but results are either not forthcoming or are leaving a lot to be desired. In an attempt to improve results, Pakistan Cricket Board has picked up the slack to improve the standard of domestic cricket in the country. It has now become a cliché: there is a huge gulf between the standard of our domestic and international matches. No matter how much you disagree with the timing of the tournament – Pakistan to play three red-ball Tests against England from October 7 – the event is targeted to achieve the goals set by the PCB: to improve the standard.
But this has been trotted out in the past as well, so what’s new?
It has been a common sight that performers of our domestic cricket noticeably struggle when they come up against quality opponents at the international level. Commonly, a country follows a four-tier system to develop new players via the Under-19 cricket, domestic events, tours of “A teams” and international cricket. If we consider the example of India, they have an exemplary set up that starts from Under-19 to first class cricket and the next rung is the most important in the development of a player; the “A” cricket. Their standard of first-class cricket is higher than ours and the next step is stronger as their “A” teams toured countries like Australia, South Africa and England. Our “A tours are mostly to Zimbabwe, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The PCB selectors had claimed that AI (artificial intelligence) has been used to cull the players but there are some glaring omissions in the selection of the squads. Shahzaib Hasan is nowhere to be found in the event despite being the best batter at the Under-19 level. Ammad Alam is another omission. The Under-19 batter has shown remarkable intent on employing power hitting which is mostly in fashion at the international level.
Besides selecting the young players there is also a need to include them in the eleven as they will learn a lot by playing with seniors.
With this aim, and appreciating it in the end, the Champions Cup one-day tournament was launched. You may argue the timing of the tournament – with Pakistan scheduled to play three red-ball Tests against England in October – and that is an objection with now justification from the PCB or the five mentors of the tournament. All of the five mentors are big names who have not only played for Pakistan with distinction but three of them have coached the national team as well. Once you forgive the timing, the profligacy in giving a big fee to the mentors raised many eyebrows. The same lavish spending was done on Pakistan Junior League (PJL) in 2022 with five mentors getting 50K US dollars each. Although it was a good idea, and even if you are generous enough to forgive the lavish spending and the colossal losses of near 800 million PKR, it was shelved after the first edition when Najam Sethi replaced Ramiz Raja on the PCB’s hot seat.
Such are the vagaries of Pakistan cricket. So, we do not know about the future of the Champions Cup if Mohsin Naqvi is replaced.
Coming back to what one can expect from the Champions Cup, there are myriad goals. The primary objection is to find new talent. If we find three good young batters, as many bowlers and two good allrounders then it would be worthwhile. All five mentors must guide these players to overcome their deficiencies such as lack of fitness, fielding, game awareness and communication skills. Some of the junior players – mostly good performers from the Under-19 set up – will get the much-needed exposure in this tournament. They must be groomed and talked to properly so that they can lift their game.
Not only the PCB but all the stakeholders of the game in the country have huge expectations from the Champions Cup. It is evident from the fact that the PCB Governing Board has suggested to include the Champions Cup in the PCB constitution so that any new set up of the PCB cannot change it or abolish it.
Pakistan cricket needs consistent and sincere efforts. The resolve is good and when that is the case then results come. Pakistan needs good and international standard grounds as well and next year’s Champions Trophy has given us a chance to build more venues.
