On Nov 3, when Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were handed jail sentences and carted off in a prison van, it was a cataclysmic event not just for Pakistan cricket but for the sport as a whole.
For the last several years Pakistan cricket has endured one setback after another. In 2006, it was the Darrell Hair fiasco and the forfeited Oval Test; in 2007, it was the shocking death of coach Bob Woolmer; in 2008, it was the total absence of Test cricket; in 2009, it was the terrorist attack outside Gaddafi Stadium; in 2010, it was the spot-fixing scandal. Each year we felt the unthinkable had happened, only for the shock to be exceeded by something worse the following year.
It appears that 2011 was different. Not only did an unthinkable event happen this year that is unlikely to be exceeded, it also seems that Pakistan cricket turned a corner and the string of misfortunes finally snapped.
When the spot-fixing revelations first surfaced in August 2010, no one expected to see our cricketers going to jail. Playing bans from the International Cricket Council were certainly on the cards, but the idea of criminal charges seemed nonsensical.
Yet the spot-fixers had unknowingly violated an act on the law books that ultimately saw them convicted in London’s Southwark Crown Court.
But Pakistan’s transformed on-field performances are now a clear indication that the guilty players — who were removed from the side immediately after the allegations became public last year — had been a pernicious presence within the team. In Test matches this year Pakistan won series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Their only Test defeat came against the West Indies as part of a drawn series. In One Day International cricket Pakistan won 24 of 32 matches, a record that incorporates seven series wins and a semi-final showing in the 2011 World Cup. In T20 cricket they won four out of five matches, the only defeat coming against the West Indies in April.
With the spot-fixers out of the way, the rest of the players are clearly putting in an honest effort and the team is clicking well.
Granted Pakistan did not face particularly tough opposition this year (Sri Lanka was the only better-ranked team), but such an outstanding winning record is cause for celebration no matter what.
This is a team with multiple strengths that are coming together in a highly effective package. The bowling line-up is fortified by world-class seam and swing from Umar Gul, ably supported by newcomers Junaid Khan and Aizaz Cheema; there are two formidable all-rounders in Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez, and they form part of a menacing spin trio with Saeed Ajmal; and while the batting remains vulnerable, there have been some fine performances from Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal and Younis Khan, in addition to match-winning innings from Hafeez and Afridi.
Ultimately, the credit for lifting Pakistan in such remarkable fashion must go to the captain, Misbahul Haq. Despite twice being discarded, he has made a forceful comeback each time. He now leads with maturity, authority, calm and poise. His chemistry with the other ex-captains on the team is reassuring. Haq’s own batting performance this year was at or near the top, a clear indication that he believes in leading by example.
Credit must also be given to the new Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf, whose professional approach is already a stark contrast to the ruinous tenure of his predecessor Ijaz Butt. Ashraf has outlined a set of key strategic objectives, shown willingness to back his players and reward performance, and appears keen to heed the advice of noted ex-players. This augurs well for an era of stability and achievement.
Stern challenges await Pakistan in 2012, with series scheduled against England, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. There is even a possibility of hosting international cricket on home soil, for which Bangladesh has shown interest. With the team clicking so nicely, Pakistan are well placed to tackle the hurdles that lie ahead.
— Saad Shafqat is a sports columnist
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