KARACHI: Former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu on Tuesday lauded Pakistan’s fabulous victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Abu Dhabi, which also handed them the series, and expressed delight on the rise and rise of the national team in recent months.

“It gives me immense pleasure to see the Pakistan team firing on all cylinders and putting in superb performances one after the other which is ample proof of their mental strength and high level of skills,” said Sallu in a statement on Tuesday.

“Starting from the England series last July-August, our team has played brilliant cricket which is evident from the results. If we count their victories, Pakistan has won ten consecutive matches including the last ODI and T20 against England, the three T20s and ODIs against the West Indies and now the two Tests,” observed Sallu.

He said it was heartening to see Pakistan doing well in all the three formats against the West Indies. “We outclassed them all departments of the game, in all the formats. And it has been a complete team effort for which I must congratulate the three captains – Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed as well as senior pros Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, young Sami Aslam and wily Yasir Shah all of whom came up with superlative efforts.”

“I must also give full credit to coach Mickey Arthur who is clearly making a difference since taking over the job. Before his tenure, our players looked short on confidence and performance, but Arthur has infused a fresh spirit in the side.”

Sallu, also a former Test cricketer, however expressed surprise at the defensive approach adopted by the West Indies throughout the series. “Since my playing days, I have seen greats like Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd and many others always playing attacking cricket to get out of batting crisis. They played aggressive cricket regardless of the circumstances and that was the key to their status as world beaters,” recalled Sallu.

“But this West Indies team, although not as strong as the outfits in the 1970s and ‘80s, has mostly been found defending and not playing their brand of cricket which is something new to me. Although players like Darren Bravo, Devendra Bishoo and Blackwood have done well indeed, the Calypso spirit has been missing from their cricket.”

In the end, Sallu advised the young cricketers to carefully listen to Sir Viv’s expert comments which could do them a world of good. “He has been a true master of the game and his pertinent and intelligent comments are surely a learning experience for all young cricketers.”

Published in Dawn October 26th, 2016