Review of Pakistan’s test-less situation and its impact.

Pakistan team is never too far from news. It came in news recently when Australia backed out from its tour to Pakistan citing security reasons followed by cancellation of ICC Champions Trophy on security grounds. It has now gained the attention of cricket patrons worldwide by crying hoarse about a lean cricket season.

On one hand where teams like India are always over-burdened with their packed schedules, Pakistan’s complaint is amusing. Pakistan has not played a single test match this year. They had a three-match test series against Australia scheduled in March this year. The series was postponed in wake of violent outbreaks in Pakistan following the elections. The series will be played sometime next year but the prospects of this series seeing the light of day appear dim. Had this series been played according to the original schedule, Pakistan team would have got three tests to play this year.

Understandably, the Pakistan team and management are concerned over the issue. Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has expressed his worries over the progress of current and upcoming cricketers. "It is very disappointing that Pakistan hasn't played a Test match this year. I don't think such a thing has happened to any country in the past," Yousuf said. He opines that test cricket is the real test of a player’s skills and temperament and being devoid of it will mar Pakistan cricket. Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has urged ICC to help Pakistan get into active cricket circuit. Pakistan played their last test against India in December and have played in only two ODI series this year.

In such a test-starved situation, Pakistan are eagerly looking forward to host India January next year for a three-match test series. The situation is so desperate that Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has called the series as “the most important assignment for our team.” He believes that his team will be fully prepared to take on the arch rivals but his claims do not seem to be based on substance.

Pakistan team is going through the lowest ebb in their cricket history. With international tours getting cancelled due to security reasons and paucity of cricket to be played, Pakistan’s talent is going down the drain. Players like Danish Kaneria who are called only for tests are not only being wasted but are also being distracted by county teams. However, Malik and Lawson say that they are confident of coming back and bringing better days to cricket. We say, Amen!

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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