One of the biggest crises in our cricket history is knocking at the gates of PCB. Pakistan would have to play the qualifying round for 2019 ODI World cup, if they did not improve their ranking. They have slumped to their lowest-ever ninth ranking. To play the World Cup directly it is necessary for a team to be among the top eight. The minnows Bangladesh are better than us, being eighth.
It would be the saddest day for one of the most talented cricketing nations in the world that won six test matches in a few years after getting the test status under the charismatic leadership of Abdul Hafeez Kardar. New Zealand who were years older took nearly 50 years to win their first test match.
What is PCB doing to avert such a disaster? Its governing body member Zafar Mahmood from WAPDA has accused that the meeting of the governing body is just a treat as nothing for the betterment of cricket is discussed. It is interesting to note that the governing body members who are considered more powerful than the PCB chairman always open their mouth when their own benefits and privileges come under threat.
The governing body members were not awakened by the poor show in 2015 ODI World Cup, two World T20s, defeats against Bangladesh, but when their own benefits were affected, they declared the meeting “a cup of tea and biscuit eating meeting”.
Zafar did not say anything in the recently held meeting which took many important decisions.
The ODI captain Azhar Ali has sensed the alarming situation and started giving warnings to save his skin. He showed disappointment over the team’s slump to ninth position, saying it needs to beat top ranked teams.
Time is running out. Pakistan have to improve the ranking before September 30 next year. How they can improve is a million dollar question.
Of course, Azhar does not want to be a captain under whose leadership the national team fails to qualify for the World Cup. Azhar said the signs were worrying but he was optimistic that things would improve.
“We are aware of the slump,” he recently said. “We know we have to beat top teams to rise in the rankings and we are quite determined to do that.”
Pakistan have lost 16 of their last 29 one-day internationals, winning only 12. Azhar took over as captain after the 2015 World Cup and was instantly criticised as Pakistan were routed 3-0 by Bangladesh – their first-ever series loss to the fast-rising neighbours.
The PCB has also sensed where the situation is going. So it did not take interest in appointing a Pakistani coach for the training of the national cricket team. The PCB’s current management had already been facing a lot of criticism following the dismal performances in 2015 World Cup, 2014 World T20 and 2016 World T20, and T20 Asia Cup 2016.
It is written on the wall. Shaharyar Khan and Najam Sethi are very close to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but if Pakistan fail to qualify for World Cup 2019, no one can save them from the wrath of public. Both the oldies would really be in hot waters if that happened.
The PCB high ups must remember that it is only the passion for the game from Karachi to Khyber. It is the only thing that gives happiness to this otherwise divided nation. Every Pakistani is proud when Pakistan’s flag flies high in the world due to cricket.
Every day there is something new from the Pandora’s box; crisis has become a routine in Pakistan cricket. From the chairman to members of the governing body, everyone thinks that the entire nation is nincompoop. That whatever they say and do will be tolerated. The common citizen is, of course, helpless but they cannot be hoodwinked any more.
Younis Khan walks away midway through a domestic tournament; Umar Akmal gets caught watching dances; Ahmed Shahzad gets violence in the dressing rooms. These guys are used to doing such things.
The PCB has over all failed to control the cricket system in the country. It always takes decisions in a haphazard manner which is not working any more. It is getting more and more complex by the day. The sooner it mends things the better it will be.