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Pakistan’s Lowest Point

By Nadir Hassan 6 January 2010 2 Comments
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Mohammed Yousuf (left). Photo:AFP

Beast and the Beauty: Mohammed Yousuf and Umar Akmal. Photograph: AFP

This one really, really hurt. I was ready to celebrate when play restarted at 4 a.m. Pakistan were on the cusp of their first Test win in Australia in over a decade. Surely even we couldn’t screw it up this time.

It took just one over to realise that we could – that we probably would. Ricky Ponting was wrong in saying “nobody in the world” thought Australia would win. There were 11 men in green caps who were so petrified of losing they made their fears a reality.

No doubt this team has talent – Umar Akmal is the find of a generation and our bowling attack is as good as any in the world. But there are four major problems they need to fix, and they need to do it before the Hobart Test.

1. Sack Mohammed Yousuf

It would be unfair to call Yousuf Pakistan’s worst-ever captain. We’ve had so many that someone must have been worse than him. But Younus Khan was one of the most astute captains the country has ever had. Younus, when bowling to a team that had an 80-run lead with only two wickets in hand, would not have put everyone on the boundary. Bad enough that you basically admit you can’t get Michael Hussey out; why were we feeding him singles off the fifth ball of the over? You know Pakistan is in trouble when Yousuf starts stroking his beard after every ball. Bring back Younus and our number three problem is also solved.

2. Kamran Akmal is the worst wicketkeeper in the world

Mohammed Yousuf believes a fielding coach wouldn’t improve our catching. Is he admitting we are so pathetic there’s nothing anyone can do? If so, that’s the most sensible thought he’s ever had. But we do need a wicketkeeping coach. Or even better, a wicketkeeper. Akmal is basically a batsmen with a fetish for large gloves. The dude can’t catch. He seemed to be scared of the ball. It’s time to get rid of him. If Umar Akmal feels lonely, there’s another Akmal brother who’s supposed to be a decent keeper.

3. Misbah ul-Haq is a waste of space

There must be someone who can bat better than him. I haven’t heard from him in five years, but Asim Kamal couldn’t possibly be this bad. Better yet, we should try and get a real all-rounder. Word is Shahid Afridi is reluctant to play Tests because it’ll get in the way of his career as an advertising star. Tell him he has to play or suffer the consequences – maybe limit the number of sponsorships he accepts to the number of Tests he plays in a year.

4. Don’t be seduced by Mohammed Sami

Sure, he bowled well in the first innings. But he was back to his usual filth in the second. Sami averages over 50 with the ball. He’s never been consistent but every three years or so has one great spell. He’s fulfilled his quota. Bring him back in 2013.

Nadir Hassan is a Pakistan-based journalist who worked as a senior assistant editor at Newsline.


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The opinions expressed in this article and the views shared by readers in the comment forum below do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance or policies of Newsline.

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2 Comments »

  • Paul said:

    Please dont send this team to Australia again. I like to watch my team win, but I also like competition and good sport. The current Pakistan team are an embarrassment to a very proud cricketing nation, who in a time of a lot of national issues, could use some good sport. Im embarrassed for you!

    I agree Nadir Hassan. I have never seen such apalling captaincy. Just when i started tho think Ricky Ponting may be nearing the end, enter Mohammed Yousuf to make him look good. Australia should NOT have batted first in the second test. Yet Ricky Ponting was able to say I told you so to all his knockers. Ricky messed that up, yet Mohammed Yousuf messed it up worse. The Bowral under 12s would of been able to win that test given the same position at the beginning of the second innings. Pakistan couldnt. Shame on Mohammed Yousuf, shame!

    # 24 January 2010 at 1:45 pm
  • Anum Kamal said:

    Let’s always keep hopes high for our team and always celebrate being a true Pakistani.
    Just like AZME ALISHAN.

    An open invitation to celebrate being a true Pakistani.
    Do become an active part,i am myself a great fan of Azme Alishan.

    # 6 June 2010 at 11:57 pm