How to Stem the Rot in Sub-Continent Test Cricket?

Change in the game of cricket is here to stay, whether we like it or not. T20 and ODI’s are definitely going to churn out more and more money, for all connected with the game. Now, there is no use criticizing the evolution process. 

Adaptation is the secret of success. Building a Test team is no rocket science. One has to be just one step ahead of the competition. Just closely watch how England and Australia are focusing their time and energy, on keeping at top level, in Test format of the game. Moreover, until and unless the sub-continent players are given rigors of sessions of fast and bouncy pitches, with special bouncing balls, to expect our batsmen to perform better than their opponents, is to live in a fools paradise. 

Although, Pakistan is not a very strong team against the world No.1 England yet, they did not leave anything to chance and asked English players to practise for months in India and South Africa, to prepare and practise for the conditions, nearest to the UAE pitches. 

As they say, practice makes one perfect. And for an ordinary person, it will not be difficult to predict the outcome of the ensuing Pakistan Vs England encounters in UAE, particularly when Misbah ul Haq is a known defensive mind. Last day his comments posted on ESPN Cricinfo removed any doubt about his negative attitude towards the game.

Quote.” It is better to win playing safe than attack and lose.”

On the same web page was posted an advice of famous Indian captain Saurov Ganguly, for Sachin Tendulkar, quoted as below.

Quote” I will tell him, if he thinks about defending, he must try some other sport.” Unquote.

As Viv Richards said “Cricket is a mind game.” And as Imran Khan said “playing for a draw is the best recipe for defeat.” If the objective of any captain, before entering the ground, is to wait and see, rather than nothing but a win, how can he marshall his players to the victory? In cricket you have to impose your agenda, on the opponent team. You have to create opportunities, like they say you have to create run outs. At times you have to snatch victories from the jaws of defeat. In any sport, one team wins and the other loses. There is no harm in losing if you give a good fight. The only objectionable thing is the abject surrender.

Now, someone must tell Misbah that famous saying, quote” In any fight, if a dog is given to lead the lions, all lions will die fighting  like a dog. However, in any fight, if a lion is given to lead the dogs, all dogs will put up a fight like a lion, irrespective of the outcome of that fight.”Unquote.

Misbah should be told that offense is the best defense.

It looks Misbah has already surrendered the series, even before a ball was bowled. Anyway, we should pray for the success of our team, as miracles do happen.

Tags: Australia, cricket, England, India, misbah ul haq, odi, Pakistan, sachin tendulkar, saurov ganguly, south africa, t20, test