No matter how much commercialization has occurred in Cricket by the involvement of heavy sponsors or by the introduction of T20, Test cricket is still the ultimate form of the game. No other format can test the ability, talent and temperament of a player as much as the Test Cricket does. Due to this reason, many analysts and experts consider the performance of test cricket as the criteria for judging a players capability.
It is an honor for any country to occupy the Top rank in Tests. England has recently snatched the number one spot from India, who enjoyed the privilege to be at Top for about 2 years. Pakistan is currently placed at number 6 in the ICC World Test Ranking. It will take some time before they can actually rule the world in Test cricket because it is the kind of format which does not suit them naturally.
Top spot should not be in the minds of Pakistan's think tank right now as they don't even have a stable Cricket Board and team to achieve the honors. The prime target, however, should be the ICC Test Championship to be held in England in 2013. Top 4 Test teams are going to feature in the prestigious championship. Let's see if there is any chance for Pakistan to play the 1st ever Test Championship in 2013.
To start the proceedings, Pakistan will have to stick with only one captain till 2013 at least in Tests. The captain should be visionary enough to think about the future and play his cards accordingly. Misbah-ul-Haq, 37, needs to be fit till that time. He's performing well with the bat as shown by his stats. His fitness will remain a million dollar question.
Being realistic, the aim of Pakistan Cricket team should be the number 4 spot in the rankings till 2013 in order to qualify for the championship. Let us consider the the scheduled Test matches of Pakistan before the Championship in order to analyze the chances of Pakistan Team to get the 4th rank.
After a one-off Test match away in Zimbabwe, Pakistan are scheduled to play Sri Lanka in a 3-match series at Home (UAE). They will tour Bangladesh for a two-match series later this year. Beating Sri Lanka, a better ranked side, would definitely boost some points for Pakistan. In 2012, Pakistan will face the number 1 side in the world, England, at their home conditions. Does anyone remember the England-Pakistan series of 2005 where the Ashes winning England side were outclassed by Pakistan on flat tracks? If the government allows, Pakistan will tour India, another better ranked side, and everyone knows that ranking is never a hurdle between an Indo-Pak game. Anything can happen in that series. Then there will be a Home series against a low ranked Bangladesh; good for preparation i suppose, and an away series against Sri Lanka. Winning an away series is sure to have a positive affect on ranking points. In 2013 before the Championship, there are away tours of Zimbabwe, South Africa and West Indies.
Hence, South African series is the only potential series that can be tough for Pakistani's. 2 Series against Sri Lanka and a series against England and India (subject to clearance) in very much favorable conditions can definitely boost the chances of Pakistan to enhance their rank. They will, however,require a lot of stability in terms of selection matters. Let's see what it should be like.
Identify a group of 3 openers and stick with them. There's no need of Imran Farhat. Taufeeq Umar and Muhammad Hafeez have good techniques and the right temperament. A youngster like Sharjeel Khan can be injected along with them. He has a solid technique in collaboration with controlled aggression. Azhar Ali has been the find of 2010; a genuine test match player. This guy has a big future ahead of him. He must utilize and learn from the experience of Younus Khan and Misbah- both of them should be available till 2013 if they mainatain their fitness. For number 6 batting position, there is already a tough competition among several talented players. Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Ramiz Raja Jnr and Usman Salahuddin are some of the contenders. Fawad Alam would have been a good choice but Mr. Ilyas, member of selection committee and father-in-law of Imran farhat would definitely not let him get selected. Team management should work with all these players and pick the best one out of them; the one who has a right attitude towards the Test Cricket. All of them are equally talented.
Pick a keeper once for all and give him a proper go. The musical chair of keepers is not going to help the cause. One out of Adnan Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed and Jamal Anwar should be given a proper chance. Kamran Akmal and Muhammad Salman are not capable of Test Level.
As Pakistan Team is going to play most of their matches in spinning-friendly conditions, they must have some match-winning spinners in order to boost their ranking. Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rahman, along with youngsters like Raza hassan and Yasir Shah can occupy the spin department. Danish kaneria's availability will be a huge bonus.
It will not be easy to fill in the gap left by Asif and Amir but fast bowling department has never been an issue for Pakistan Cricket Team. Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul will have to step up. The Management must groom Junaid Khan, Sohail Khan, and Muhammad Talha as well.
Fast bowling department is the weakest link right now. If Pakistan can find a couple of good swing bowlers, rest of the team looks fairly stable and the bench-strength has some equally talented back-up players. If there is a proper vision with proper implementation like Andy Flower had for England team 2 years ago to take a 6th ranked side to 1st rank, Pakistan can definitely take part in the prestigious Test championship. To do that, Pakistan will have to make a proper policy right from the Sri Lankan series in October this year. If Pakistan is able to achieve 4th ranking and play the Test Championship in 2013, It would be a great acievement for them.
It is an honor for any country to occupy the Top rank in Tests. England has recently snatched the number one spot from India, who enjoyed the privilege to be at Top for about 2 years. Pakistan is currently placed at number 6 in the ICC World Test Ranking. It will take some time before they can actually rule the world in Test cricket because it is the kind of format which does not suit them naturally.
Top spot should not be in the minds of Pakistan's think tank right now as they don't even have a stable Cricket Board and team to achieve the honors. The prime target, however, should be the ICC Test Championship to be held in England in 2013. Top 4 Test teams are going to feature in the prestigious championship. Let's see if there is any chance for Pakistan to play the 1st ever Test Championship in 2013.
To start the proceedings, Pakistan will have to stick with only one captain till 2013 at least in Tests. The captain should be visionary enough to think about the future and play his cards accordingly. Misbah-ul-Haq, 37, needs to be fit till that time. He's performing well with the bat as shown by his stats. His fitness will remain a million dollar question.
Being realistic, the aim of Pakistan Cricket team should be the number 4 spot in the rankings till 2013 in order to qualify for the championship. Let us consider the the scheduled Test matches of Pakistan before the Championship in order to analyze the chances of Pakistan Team to get the 4th rank.
After a one-off Test match away in Zimbabwe, Pakistan are scheduled to play Sri Lanka in a 3-match series at Home (UAE). They will tour Bangladesh for a two-match series later this year. Beating Sri Lanka, a better ranked side, would definitely boost some points for Pakistan. In 2012, Pakistan will face the number 1 side in the world, England, at their home conditions. Does anyone remember the England-Pakistan series of 2005 where the Ashes winning England side were outclassed by Pakistan on flat tracks? If the government allows, Pakistan will tour India, another better ranked side, and everyone knows that ranking is never a hurdle between an Indo-Pak game. Anything can happen in that series. Then there will be a Home series against a low ranked Bangladesh; good for preparation i suppose, and an away series against Sri Lanka. Winning an away series is sure to have a positive affect on ranking points. In 2013 before the Championship, there are away tours of Zimbabwe, South Africa and West Indies.
Hence, South African series is the only potential series that can be tough for Pakistani's. 2 Series against Sri Lanka and a series against England and India (subject to clearance) in very much favorable conditions can definitely boost the chances of Pakistan to enhance their rank. They will, however,require a lot of stability in terms of selection matters. Let's see what it should be like.
Identify a group of 3 openers and stick with them. There's no need of Imran Farhat. Taufeeq Umar and Muhammad Hafeez have good techniques and the right temperament. A youngster like Sharjeel Khan can be injected along with them. He has a solid technique in collaboration with controlled aggression. Azhar Ali has been the find of 2010; a genuine test match player. This guy has a big future ahead of him. He must utilize and learn from the experience of Younus Khan and Misbah- both of them should be available till 2013 if they mainatain their fitness. For number 6 batting position, there is already a tough competition among several talented players. Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Ramiz Raja Jnr and Usman Salahuddin are some of the contenders. Fawad Alam would have been a good choice but Mr. Ilyas, member of selection committee and father-in-law of Imran farhat would definitely not let him get selected. Team management should work with all these players and pick the best one out of them; the one who has a right attitude towards the Test Cricket. All of them are equally talented.
Pick a keeper once for all and give him a proper go. The musical chair of keepers is not going to help the cause. One out of Adnan Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed and Jamal Anwar should be given a proper chance. Kamran Akmal and Muhammad Salman are not capable of Test Level.
As Pakistan Team is going to play most of their matches in spinning-friendly conditions, they must have some match-winning spinners in order to boost their ranking. Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rahman, along with youngsters like Raza hassan and Yasir Shah can occupy the spin department. Danish kaneria's availability will be a huge bonus.
It will not be easy to fill in the gap left by Asif and Amir but fast bowling department has never been an issue for Pakistan Cricket Team. Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul will have to step up. The Management must groom Junaid Khan, Sohail Khan, and Muhammad Talha as well.
Fast bowling department is the weakest link right now. If Pakistan can find a couple of good swing bowlers, rest of the team looks fairly stable and the bench-strength has some equally talented back-up players. If there is a proper vision with proper implementation like Andy Flower had for England team 2 years ago to take a 6th ranked side to 1st rank, Pakistan can definitely take part in the prestigious Test championship. To do that, Pakistan will have to make a proper policy right from the Sri Lankan series in October this year. If Pakistan is able to achieve 4th ranking and play the Test Championship in 2013, It would be a great acievement for them.
a comprehensive detail about the bright future of Pakistan cricket team it should be considered by the board for survival of cricket in Pakistan.
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