I am compelled to write this piece today because I have got absolutely fed up with the so-called ‘cricket experts’ who have sprung up like mushrooms to invade the media overtime in Pakistan.

They are everywhere, out to champion every cause and criticise just about everything relating to our cricket. These ‘experts’ mostly comprise the ex-cricketers who barely have a couple of Tests or just half a dozen ODIs to their name.

However, they see it as their birth right to pass judgments and run down all things good done by either the Pakistan Cricket Board or by any other body or individual for the game.

The worst part is that more often than not, these ‘experts’ are taking jibes at some of the finest and more experienced players and officials who have served Pakistan cricket with their life and blood.

They desperately want to get heard or noticed, no matter how senseless they may sound. I wish a survey of some sort could be conducted to show just how irritating they can be at times for the viewers and the readers.

It is also true that while most of these ex-players have remained under-achievers throughout their careers, they forever long for a position or a lucrative job in the Board or with the team. And when they finally chance upon one, all ills in Pakistan cricket are suddenly behind them. For a majority of these ‘experts’, it takes less than a minute to switch loyalties at such times and there are countless such examples in our cricket.

To all these experts and ex-cricketers, I would like to say that enough is enough. If you have nothing positive to do or say for Pakistan cricket, kindly spare us the rant. You have had your stints and you have not done greatly, I am sorry. So don’t needlessly pick on those who are trying to do some constructive work and making efforts to take Pakistan cricket ahead.

In the end I would like to congratulate PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan and his team for their resolve to set things right.

I wish them all the best and pray for the national team to do well in the upcoming series against Australia.

The writer is a former first-class cricketer and organiser

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2014

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