KARACHI: Pakistan players, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and his fellow selectors and newly appointed coach Mickey Arthur will have to perform diligently in their jobs to revive Pakistan cricket fortunes in the coming months.

This was stated by former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu here on Friday. He said that while Pakistan has been doing well in the Test matches, their ODI and T20 performance needs major uplift. “Everyone from the players, officials, selectors and team management will have to put in extra effort in order to bring Pakistan cricket back on the track during the next eight to ten months,” said Sallu.

“We have perhaps the busiest and most challenging year ahead of us with England, New Zealand and Australian tours lined-up. Confidence and hardwork coupled with top level skills will be required to cope with the challenges.

“But this is my gut feeling that the worst is behind us and Inshallah the good days are here. The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken swift and solid measures to arrest the decline of our cricket, and they are bound to pay off,” observed Sallu.

He also lauded the PCB’s drive to check indiscipline and erratic behaviour of players which he said will send a strong message to all the players. “Inzamam and Company have tried to set things right by laying down a strict policy against indiscipline which will surely help the players to concentrate more on their game and maintain team spirit and unity which is essential for success,” he said.

Referring to the national camp comprising 35 players which begins in Kakul this month, Sallu said: “It is the right move to prepare and groom a strong, competent squad for the England tour which will test our team to the fullest in view of the seaming conditions there and the hosts’ recent form in international cricket.”

In the end, Sallu expressed his delight over the profits made from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which were recently declared by the PCB. “The PSL was a magnificent job done by the Board against heavy odds and the credit goes to chairman Shaharyar Khan and Najam Sethi sahab for making it a profitable venture in its inaugural year,” said Sallu.

“The smooth and successful staging of PSL in the UAE was a hugely positive thing for Pakistan cricket and the players and I am sure it will benefit the game tremendously in the years to come.”

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2016