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Pakistan's batting requires an overhaul

The cataclysm of a lacklustre and dreary World Cup final has left many Pakistani cricket devotees and admirers spellbound, awestruck and crestfallen. While there is no panacea for this extremely volatile and fickle cricket line-up, certain shortcomings are pretty obvious and need immediate attention and consideration.

The Pakistani top order batting is highly over-rated and puffed up. Over the last couple of years, Pakistan's batting has been its Achilles' heel. Let us face it.

In terms of top order batting talent, we are as thin as India's bowling. Over the past five years, we have not seen even one quality batsman emerging. That is a sad compliment for our cricket organisers, who feel that their only job is to enjoy perks because of their offices, and do absolutely nothing towards developing and nurturing budding quality batsmen. It is about time that the Pakistani batting formation goes through a wholesale cathartic change.

There is a pressing need to ostracize and shun the likes of Malik, Ijaz, and even Inzamam. Sure thing Inzamam can bat, but what good is his batting if he loses a handful of wickets and numerous runs because of his lethargic and exhausted running between the wickets, which antagonizes millions of Pakistani cricket followers every so often.

Even Saeed Anwar needs constant coaching. He is very gifted and talented, yet extremely inconsistent.You never know what to expect from him. The coaches need to tell him his flaws.

For example, in the recent World Cup, Saeed was getting out in the twenties and thirties because of a simple error. He was trying to reach those balls, which were away from him (lengthwise). The ball he got dismissed with was a sad example. All one has to do in facing these deliveries is to play defensively, with bat and pad close together. How can one drive a ball without reaching it comfortably?

There is a severe paucity of quality young batsmen in the Pakistani team. The dearth of batsmen like Dravid and Ganguly is apparent. A pragmatic approach to this problem is to bring back Aamir Sohail, to gain some stability, and add a few youngsters to give them exposure.

Aamir Suhail might be a seditious and rebellious player, but he sure can bat. Besides he is an excellent fielder and a very useful part time bowler.

I may sound redundant, but let me say again, Inzamam has to go. Despite his batting skills, his laziness, indifferent attitude and lack of interest towards learning, and his inability to overcome his shortcomings, has made him a noticeable target to face the axe.

Pakistan should bring back Imran Nazir. He may not be as gifted a batsman as Inzamam, but he is young and a very committed fielder.

I am a big fan of Wasim Akram and feel that no praise is enough to eulogize his numerous accomplishments. Undoubtedly, he is a living legend. However, at times, his approach towards the game is negative.

For example, his decision to bat first on a moisture-soaked, lively, Lord's wicket was mind-boggling. If bowling is your strong point, then why not bowl when the conditions are perfect and take the opposition out of the game as quickly as one can. Why put your weak batting in and don't give your bowlers any chance?

Mushtaq Mohammed's coaching also needs to be reviewed. The very concept of pinch-stopper is negative. Afridi was told to play something other than his natural game. He should have attacked to take Shane Warne out of the game. Instead, he played a timid-looking sweep shot and perished. Inzamam also looked very subdued throughout the tournament. He opened up very late and in some instances never played his trade mark-forcing shots.

On the field, the Pakistani team lacks some very basic concepts. Basics, like keeping on running when the ball is in the air and a catch is likely to be taken. When Razak lofted a catch towards McGrath in the final, he stopped running and got a single instead of two as a result of a dropped catch. Next over, he was out to a ball which other batsman would have been facing had he run two on the dropped catch.

Another basic error the Pakistanis make is looking at the ball instead of the other batsman, even if it is not their call. This adds at least a couple of yards of running distance. The rule of thumb is use your partner's eyes, and the person who is farthest to the ball, almost, always calls.

For the forthcoming tours, Pakistan should continue with the same bowling combination and carry on with Wasim as captain. One feels that Waqar and Mushtaq should play more often. They both are great bowlers and deserve more playing opportunities.

In the context of coaching, I would break the stereo, typical, norm and instead of a less motivated ex-Test cricketer, go for someone who has a passion for the game. Someone who knows cricket as well as some American sports like baseball. Professional sports in the USA are an industry and are treated as such. Work ethics of professional athletes in the USA are very demanding and are a catalyst to extract the best out of any athlete. Many fine points of other sports can be imported in cricket and, am sure, will yield amazing results.

For example, baseball catching style, throwing, and relay throwing can improve the fielding efficiency significantly

For the Sharjah tournament, Pakistan should keep the same bowling. They should pick Saeed, Aamir, Yousaf Yohanna, Saleem Elahi, Imran Nazir, Wasti, Afridi and another newcomer.

All Pakistan need is a couple of good batsmen and a winning attitude. And… Pakistan will be back in business to take revenge in Australia this winter.