Pakistan cricket lacks professionalism: Zaheer Abbas
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KARACHI: President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Zaheer Abbas, said on Saturday that Pakistan cricket is lacking in professionalism when it comes to playing on the global stage and need to improve urgently.
Speaking to the media at the final of the KCCA President Cup at the National Stadium, the former Pakistan captain emphasised on bringing drastic changes in domestic cricket to bring it at par with the game in other countries.
“I think it won’t be appropriate to deplore the standard of our cricket in general. At the international level Pakistan are definitely in dire need of improvement. In recent times, the way we have played is just shameful. This is not the way we play,” Zaheer remarked. “The one key reason of this drawback is that there is a distinct lack of professionalism in our domestic set-up. This system is supposed to act as the breeding ground but it is not doing enough to uplift the standard of cricket compared to other nations.”
Zaheer further said whoever is picked as the head coach to fill the void left by Waqar Younis’ resignation will have a tough time lifting the national side’s performance. “I don’t think we need to really have a coach for the Pakistan team,” said Zaheer while commenting on the topic in a lighter vein. “But it won’t matter much whether the guy hired is a foreigner or one of our own. The mindset is the key and that has to change.”
“Whether we should have a foreigner as coach is something which can only be answered by the hiring authority. At this point in time, I don’t want to create any controversy by giving my opinion. Some people won’t like what I would say,” Zaheer said.
Zaheer said he won’t’be running after the post of PCB chairman when his tenure as the ICC president, a ceremonial assignment, ends this year.
“This is news for me because I’m hearing from you people that I’m in the run for PCB [chairman] post. I have just returned after the ICC World Twenty20 in India and have not been in touch with the politics of Pakistan cricket in the past couple of weeks,” said Zaheer. “Anyway, if you have any confirmation about this then please also let me know as well.”
Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2016
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Comments (44) Closed
Apr 10, 2016 06:41am
So
What's new?
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Apr 10, 2016 12:46pm
Zaheer mentioned this only AFTER pakistan lost in twenty 20 world cup cricket. Before this he was going along the dotted lines. Yes so whats new ?
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Apr 10, 2016 02:24pm
Being a ICC president he has to be neutral we must understand when he was in India attending W20 he was not representing Pakistan he was a representator of ICC.
wish he become PCB chairman and take our cricket upward and put them on the right path, people running PCB they dont even know rules of cricket they are not crickets even cricketers whom they involve in this played 1 test or first class cricket no international experience.
please stop cricket in pakistan for 5 6 years do not participate in any international game and build a good domestic system and come back, at least this will save us from shame that we are facing every time you play international.
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Apr 10, 2016 02:49pm
One thing I know for sure, within the current setup and with current squad our team can't win any major title.
I would say 9 out of 11 players are on Parchi and don't deserve a place in the team but unfortunately in our country and in the current culture we don't reward merit. Upright and professional has no place in our country. Pakistan a dream gone sour.
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Apr 10, 2016 03:07pm
It lacks...honesty.
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Apr 10, 2016 03:10pm
PAK fielding is quite funny, except Malik everyone else fields like an obese.
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Apr 10, 2016 03:11pm
Easily the worst fielding side among top 8.
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Apr 10, 2016 03:40pm
The teams like Afghanistan & Bangladesh are playing better than Pakistan currently & have better professionalism in their cricketing management.
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Apr 10, 2016 03:49pm
The problem in pakistan is that all cricketers make statement & wanted to remain in news lime light.Media house should refrain from making every other statement as national priority. There is a board.Lets help them to work properly .
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Apr 10, 2016 03:54pm
Lets begin by drafting lean boys unlike the overtly obese n over the age "men"now hogging the limelight
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Apr 10, 2016 04:02pm
Shehzad dives unnessecarily even if the balk is coming straight at him. Except Babar Azam, can't see any other youngster which is quick in the field.
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Apr 10, 2016 05:04pm
First of all Pakistan players should concentrate on their fitness. Barring Shoaib Malik, Shezad and Mohd. Hafeez, I feel all should improve in fitness. It is baffling to me that persons like Sharjeel or Umar Akmal in such a physically demanding sport like cricket is not fit enough and put on weight. I may include Yuvraj, Bumrah and Ashwin also in this list.
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Apr 10, 2016 05:10pm
Majid khan is a best choice.
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Apr 10, 2016 06:24pm
It is funny that those who say that test cricket is real cricket blame Pakistan domestic cricket for failures in shorter versions while Pakistan is still one of the better teams in the world cricket.
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Apr 10, 2016 06:36pm
Pakistan have no talent or talent has not used.Pakistan has not produced any batsman of international caliber.We have no batsman like kohli, Rohit sharma.Our batsmen can not compared with any ordinary batsman of the other country.it is alarming.
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Apr 10, 2016 07:06pm
Like all other fields
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Apr 10, 2016 07:06pm
Professionalism in cricketers will come but Pakistan must create environment to play international cricket within the country. This is one prerequisite besides having a good infrastructure within the country. Coaches are useful and they are the conventional need of the day as the game is played at a different level these days.
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Apr 10, 2016 07:36pm
Zaheer doesn't have to mince words. The players are a reflection of the Cricket Board. The buck srarts there.
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Apr 10, 2016 07:44pm
@Yasir Zeb
Only knowing the rules of cricket can uplift cricket in Pakistan?
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Apr 10, 2016 08:31pm
Pakistan Needs Mohsin Khan as its coach. We should not forget that when he took as Interim coach for a short period Pakistan was rising in all ICC rankings.
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Apr 10, 2016 09:14pm
Why is Abdul Razzak not in your team?
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Apr 10, 2016 09:34pm
Mr Zaheer Sahib, only none professional behavior at PCB management is the main reason behind downfall of Pakistan cricket and international level, when we have people like Shehryar Khan and Najam Sethi are running the board then we cant expect anything good, these two evil needs to be removed from Board as soon as possible and replaced by good character successful people with good management skill and track record
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Apr 10, 2016 09:38pm
Misbah, being test captain, can coach T20.
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Apr 10, 2016 10:33pm
Most issues are quick fixes, PCB has to make right skipper for all three formats and then comes right combination of bowling. For example in odi and t20 we need wicket taking off break bowlers and bowling to conditions. At the same time PCB needs to maintain on merit selection, positive culture and unity among the players for all three formats of cricket.
Question is can it be done?
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Apr 10, 2016 11:00pm
Zaheer is one of those who have been close to this board and he never criticized PCB policies. Had you asked the same question about our team before the world cup, he had surely praised them. If he is really sincere then he should start with saying that PCB is not professional enough to run cricket.
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Apr 10, 2016 11:43pm
Zaheer Abbas also lacks professionalism as we all see he did nothing during Pakistan participation controversy in World T20. I think before point fingers to others you should look yourself.
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Apr 11, 2016 04:16am
It is easy for seniors to blame current cricketers. But give a thought to them, they are not getting chance to play any major home series like the seniors. Home series victories help in boosting confidence. Also more people are able to play and get exposed. Else only Afridi will continue playing for another 5 years. Without any opportunity Pakistan is doing quite well, competing with the best.
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Apr 11, 2016 05:03am
Pakistan batting lacks modern day technique mandatory for t20 format.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:16am
In a utopian society. Imran Khan would be the best choice for Chairman PCB but that is not going to be possible since he is on the other side of the political divide. Having said that, the next best choice would be Asif Iqbal, followed by Majid Khan. If people like Shaharyar Khan and Najam Sethi remain at the helm, Pakistan cricket's future is bleak.
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Apr 11, 2016 07:34am
No profound insight - in fact a very delayed comment after Asia cup & World T 20. Not sure who the intended audience is or what is the purpose of the statement.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:39am
Challenges from the domestic pipeline is not a new discovery . If your cricketers are highly tenured and the overall number of international games is shrinking the motivation at the domestic circuit is significantly reduced . The problem with Pakistani cricket unfortunately is Pakistan . Unless international cricket comes back to Pakistan there really is no future . PSL is a good start if it produces good international participation the players will learn quickly . The media needs to stop interviewing every ex Pakistani cricketer every day on the the present and future of Pakistan cricket . The best way to add some value would be showing some domestic cricket on prime time instead.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:41am
Pak was a very good team once
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Apr 11, 2016 10:10am
While keeping behind the wickets, I have heard Sarfraz many times calling the bowlers "Come on Beta ! , Come on Beta !", although he himself is not a cricket great or at least match winner. Someone should tell these players to strictly stop this bullying language for newcomers, who are playing as international players, not school kids. It kills the fundamental feeling of being equal to other players. Although calling seniors "Bhai" is a respect gesture in this part of the wrold but I think even this should be reconsidered while they are in the ground. Ricky Ponting or Shane Warne, whatsoever their seniority or legendary status, were not 'bhai' in the ground; they were just Shane and Ricky for other teammates.
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Apr 11, 2016 10:40am
I have posted the same comments earlier that Pak team lacks professionalism. In 90s this was the problem with all the Asian nations, now they have moved on even Pak should now.This reflects in their senior players also, you can see them making comments in talk show which at this level should be avoided. I have never seen Sunil Gavaskar or Ravi Shastri do that even when team India was in dire straits. Bottomline is be professional and every aspects on and off the field will fall in place.
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Apr 11, 2016 12:29pm
Another brainless child of PCB trying to justify playing standard at national level and suggesting improvement at international level .Everbody likes to do politics and justify their seat!
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Apr 11, 2016 01:40pm
I have difeerent view.
I feel Pakistan never ever had PROFESSTIONAL attitude. Wasim, Wakar, Shoaib Akhttar, Wahib, Amir, Sami, Shoaib Malik, Haffez, Miadad etc all are having same passion. There might be little up and down in the stats but all are equally passionate.
What has changed is other team's attitude.
India is the best example. They are fearless professional and most important educated. Now here education does not mean graduate or engineer. And last and most important respect other without comparing.
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Apr 11, 2016 02:39pm
@bala education mean that you know what to say and what not to stay in front of the camera. Also Indian team has 9-10 players in the playing 11 who can speak english for eg. Hardik Pandya, so even when you appoint a foreign coach there is hardly a communication gap between players and coach.
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Apr 11, 2016 02:58pm
@Multan basically PAK players lack education.
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Apr 11, 2016 03:11pm
@Samrat
Education will tech you how to behave or react to the certen situation. It's not about the language.
for an example check out interview of Misbah & Afridi. Misbah definatly looks educated more than Afridi.
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Apr 11, 2016 03:41pm
@bala yet he said before PAK's tour to SL in 2014 that 'we're looking to spoil Mahela's farewell series' and ended up losing 2-0 in tests. Now ever seen Dhoni or even Kohli saying that before any series?
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Apr 12, 2016 04:51am
Pakistan cricket lacks everything
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Apr 12, 2016 04:57am
@Samrat Dhoni has other problems. He never admits defeat like a man. He is always playing against dew or weather or conditions but never against a another 11 players. Not sure if education has taught him anything.
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Apr 13, 2016 04:33am
I have said it before and will say it again make Mohsin khan the head coach.
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Apr 13, 2016 04:38am
Pakistani team needs basic education, physiological training . Most of them are not even matric. Make them read and write plus teach them English and above all make their monthly salaries dependent on performance and see the results.
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