Two innings defeats have provided enough stimulation to the inevitable debate on the performance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, who failed to reorganise a competitive cricket.
The dismal performance of Pakistan in the five-match One-day Internationals (ODIs) and three-Test series speaks a lot about the domestic cricket structure, which is in a shambles.
Much before the start of the series, saner elements were apprehensive of a "do or die" clash between the arch-rivals, but the 3-2 defeat in One-day Internationals (ODIs) followed by a slap with 2-1 win by the visitors, has exposed Pakistan team's weaknesses, and those claiming that Pakistan have an edge over India in bowling department, must be repenting of their illogical support to the national team.
The results of ODIs and Test series was no surprise to those, who had been watching Indian team's performances at home and abroad for the last couple of years, are of the view that Pakistan team stands nowhere against young lot in the Indian team.
Not only the Indian batsmen, but the "weak and mediocre" Indian bowling has also cut Pakistan "ace pace" attack to a club-level cricketers. They have proved that they are simply the best against Pakistan.
In the 54-year history of Pakistan cricket, two innings defeats in a three-Test series by any visiting team, especially by India, will prove a nightmare for the high-ups in the PCB and the big mouth Shoaib Akhtar and others, who were boasting of playing "memorable" innings in the Test matches, especially in third and final Test at Rawalpindi.
Though the Indians' dream of a complete and unprecedented Test series clean sweep on Pakistani soil has been shattered when Pakistan won the second Test at Lahore by nine wickets, the visitors outplayed their hosts in every department of the game.
However, the fight for supremacy between the two sides ended on the fourth day of the third and final Test at Rawalpindi when the Indian handed another innings defeat to Pakistan.
Distraught Inzamam-ul-Haq, commenting on the team's performance, said he was let down by his bowlers, as depending solely on much publicised Pakistan's pace was the biggest mistake of the selectors, headed by former Test cricketer Wasim Bari. Those describing "world's fastest" bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, as match-winner bowler were either ignorant of the mental attitude of the 'Rawalpindi Express' or were trying to belittle the mettle of long and strong Indian batting line-up.
The self-styled "world's fastest" bowler is certainly the match-winner bowler against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and even New Zealand but not against India, who mercilessly hammered him first in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and finally in the recent series.
Unlike Indian inexperienced and "mediocre" bowlers, who maintained line, and targeted the wicket, Pakistan pacers Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed, were concentrating on speed, ignoring the fact that it is the line and length and not the speed, which demolish any batting line-up.
In their efforts to generate speed, they wasted their energies to the benefit of Indian batsmen.
While selecting injury-prone Shoaib Akhtar, the selectors should keep in mind that he may declare himself unfit during the match, as was witnessed during last Test match at Rawalpindi when left the ground on the plea of injury in his left, but was seen involved in batting practice.
While the bowlers received a contemptuous hammering by young Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, V. V. S Luxmon and Rahul Dravid, even medium pacers Irfan Pathan and Balaji were ruthless in dealing with Shoaib Akhtar, mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahme and fazle Akber, Inzamam's boys too looked novices before the Indian bowlers.
The batsmen too added miseries to their captain. Their body language and foot work on the crease spoke of their level. Their tackling of India's accurate and penetrating deliveries was no better than a club level cricketer. Taufiq Umar, who proved failure as opener right from the first Test, could not justify his selection. He needs proper and hard training while playing on front foot. Imran Farhat, who scored a century in second Test, was dismissed cheaply in third Test.
A day before the start of third Test, one down experienced Yousuf Youhana
that he would play a memorable innings at Rawalpindi. True to his words, he played a "memorable" innings and dismissed cheaply.
One wonders about the wisdom of the selectors, who continued to try Taufiq Umar, although Imran Nazir was available. He should have been tried like that of Asim Kamal, who proved his mettle in his only second Test. Besides Faisal Iqbal should also have tried, but personal likes and dislikes made the selection process a mockery.
The game analysts are of the view that unless the PCB keeps its house in order, the standard of the game will continue to deteriorate to level of Bangladesh.
They suggested complete purge in the board to be followed by restructuring of domestic cricket.
There should be an end to "sweet reasonableness" to the "bad boys" in the PCB and the team. Not only the team but also the PCB needs reforms. If the PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan did act with a purpose, Pakistan cricket will be thrown into much bigger debacles than the 2003 World Cup and the recently concluded "Friendship Series" with India.
The game watcher also suggested three-day inter-regional, inter-provincial and national tournaments with a view to providing required practice not only to the Test cricketers, but also to those who are knocking at the doors of Test cricket.
They also suggested a complete ban Test and international cricketer playing County and league matches in England, arguing that on return after the English season, they are completely exhausted and tired and are unable to give the same performance which they gave in England.
Hats off to the PCB and the team for making the "Friendship Series" a real success. They deserve congratulations for tempting Indians to Pakistan again and again.
Captain Inzamam has expressed his determination to win the Test series, saying: "We have played some good cricket at Lahore and we hope to continue that in Rawalpindi.
" We are prepare well and will be looking to do - to win the next game," he said.
Even speed merchant Shoaib Akhtar vowed to repeat Lahore performance in Rawalpindi, saying "Rawalpindi is his home town and he wants to perform exemplary before his home crowd." fails to come to the party for the most significant Test match of their lives.
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