WITH the World Cup now a distant memory, t is time to have a look at the world of cricket in the post-Cup period. For most countries, it is life as usual, specially for the Champions, Australia, who are back on stage, facing fresh challenges as if winning — in fact retaining — the World Cup was no big deal. Just imagine what it might have been like had the Cup been won by someone from the subcontinent!
At home, things have taken a more familiar turn in keeping with the historical record of the way things are managed in sporting circles. Even a cursory look at the past is enough to bear out the fact that decisions taken at crucial junctures, more often than not, leave the people guessing if the step taken is forward or otherwise. This time, apparently, is no exception.
In the last few weeks, there has been much debate about revamping the domestic structure and making it more competitive. There have also been suggestions, as has been the case in the past, that it should be contested on a regional basis. While all possibilities should be considered, and I am sure the PCB will consider them as it goes along, one thing that all concerned should keep in mind is that Pakistan cricket needs proper short-term as well as long-term strategies.
Changing the domestic structure is a long-term plan. It cannot be done overnight. And even after some decision has been reached and implemented, it will still take a few years before it starts producing sustained results. The whole process will take somewhere between five and eight years. Naturally, Pakistan cricket cannot be left to rot for all this while at the international level.
Having said that, the manner in which the domestic cricket is being conducted at present is also not going to help the cause of national cricket. I don’t agree with the new national coach, Jawed Miandad’s proclamation that the new-look team will be a fighting unit in a year’s time. I think, it will need more than that. But even if his words are taken to be a true assessment, one year is still a long time for any team to be humiliated at the world stage. So the short-term problem deserves to be fixed on a priority as well, and a few of the seniors left out for the time being are likely to recalled for that purpose.
As I see it, the way ahead is to invest in the junior strings. They shall be kept active for most part of the year and a close eye needs to be kept at the grassroots level. While Under-15 and Under-17 teams may be kept busy at the national level, it is vital that the Under-19 and Pakistan-A sides are exposed to international competitions under different conditions.
The PCB had started on these lines a few months ago before the thunder was stolen by the World Cup fever. One hopes that it will give the matter a serious thought because international exposure between the ages of 18 and, say, 22 is crucial for a smooth transition from a junior string to the national side. In our specific context, it is possibly the only way a young lad may be groomed for future responsibilities.
WITH the World Cup now a distant memory, t is time to have a look at the world of cricket in the post-Cup period. For most countries, it is life as usual, specially for the Champions, Australia, who are back on stage, facing fresh challenges as if winning — in fact retaining — the World Cup was no big deal. Just imagine what it might have been like had the Cup been won by someone from the subcontinent!
