A Sticky Wicket

The Aussies have been terrorized into cancelling (postponing?) the tour to Pakistan which was scheduled for this month. This, of course, isn't the first time a cricketing nation has refused to tour Pakistan. And given the ground realities of suicide bombings and the like that have become virtually a daily nuisance, who's to say the Aussies are unjustified. For the majority of hapless Pakistani cricket fans, this is another in a line of insults and frustrations.

Is it a coincidence that since Bush's War on Terror the standard of Pakistani cricket has declined? that Pakistan now ranks 6th and 5th in Test and ODI playing countries, respectively? that the Test batsmen rankings only have Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan in the top 20 and the next ranked Pakistani player, Misbah-ul-Haq, ranks 27th? that Yousuf is the only Pakistani in the ODI batting rankings within the top 20, with Shoaib Malik as the next best ranked 24th? that no Pakistani bowler ranks within the top 20 in ODIs, with Afridi leading the pack at 21st? that in Test bowling rankings, though 3 players show up in the top 20, only one, Kaneria, has been active (Shoaib Akhtar and Asif not having played for a while)?

And this in a country which has fared exceptionally well in the U-19 World Cups the last three times around, in particular. What happens to the heroes when they turn 20 and above? Clearly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has much to answer for the malaise in Pakistani cricket, including the routine cancellation of tours by non-Asian and non-African countries and the refusal of India for touring Pakistan, in lieu of the Aussies, this month.

Dr. Ashraf, the PCB chief, needs a bit of introspection and must stop from the ostrich-like habit which seems to be the current mindframe of the ruling class which is seeing the sun set on its glory days. A major re-think is required to alter the momentum and direction of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan, at the moment, is a "has-been" of international cricket and is visibly declining. The players on central contracts seem to be doing well but commitment from them, as demonstrated on the field, has been questionable, at best.

The top guns of yesteryears should be availed of, intricately woven into the fabric of the cricket infrastructure in Pakistan. Where are iconic greats such as Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Zaheer Abbas, Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Qadir, Inzamam? (I omit Imran due to his political preferences but would not hesitate to bring Salim Malik back.)

Is Pakistan cricket on a decline? If so, what are recommended courses to take?

Have your say.