Finally, after an extended period of inactivity, Pakistan’s red-ball team is back in action, currently competing with Bangladesh making a long-awaited visit to Pakistan after four years.

In the history of their head-to-head encounters, Pakistan has consistently outperformed Bangladesh in Test cricket, securing victories in 12 out of their 13 matches in previous series. Despite this dominant record, the ongoing series holds considerable importance for Pakistan.

Recognising the stakes, they have deployed a full-strength squad for the home Test series. With a coveted spot in the World Test Championship final within reach, Pakistan is eager to leverage their home-season advantage. This crucial period includes not only these two Test matches against Bangladesh, but also three against England and two against the West Indies.

In the crucial Test season, Pakistan is exploring every possible avenue to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. The team is once again under new management, with the appointment of Jason Gillespie as the new Test Head Coach. This management team, however, seems to possess a clearer mindset and direction.

The current home Test series against Bangladesh will be a warm-up for the season ahead, on which hinges Pakistan’s hopes for a spot in the World Test Championship

Pakistan’s red-ball captain Shan Masood has emphasised the importance of turning the home ground into a fortress, much like other top teams such as England, Australia and India have done. He conveyed these intentions and plans during an appearance on the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board] Podcast.

In the same podcast, Head Coach Jason Gillespie expressed his commitment to backing players who demonstrate full effort and play selflessly for the team. Captain Shan Masood also acknowledged that Pakistan’s performance in Test cricket over the past four years has been below expectations, but he believes that the team now has strong resources, particularly in the bowling department.

The first challenge for this new management is the current Bangladesh series, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that they have long-term plans and a more effective player management strategy. Unlike previous selections, which often relied on big names, this time we’re seeing some bold decisions.

In the last Test series Pakistan played in Australia, they introduced a new opening batter, Saim Ayub, replacing Imam-ul-Haq in the third Test. However, after Saim’s poor form in T20 matches, speculation arose that he might be dropped from the Test squad — a surprising notion, considering how unusual it is for a player to be dropped after just one debut game, especially due to performance in a different format.

Yet, the decisions made by Jason Gillespie, Shan Masood and the selection committee quashed these rumours, as they opted to retain Saim Ayub over Imam-ul-Haq and brought back Mohammad Huraira as the third opener, even though he had previously been dropped without playing a single match.

Another notable and bold decision was to include only one specialist spinner in the squad. Given that Abrar Ahmed has been the standout performer in the spin department, the management chose to bolster the pace attack instead, ensuring there are no weak links in the team.

There has been considerable debate and discussion around why Imam-ul-Haq was dropped after just one poor series in Australia. To understand the rationale behind the management’s decision to prioritise young talents such as Saim Ayub and Hurraira over the more experienced Imam, it’s essential to delve into some key statistical insights.

Let’s take a closer look at Imam-ul-Haq’s Test batting performance, broken down by different venues:

These statistics paint a clear picture of Imam-ul-Haq’s challenges in away conditions. While he has excelled on home soil, boasting an impressive average of 62.61 and scoring three centuries, his performance in away games has been significantly weaker, with an average of just 25.31 and no centuries to his name. This stark contrast likely played a crucial role in the management’s decision to explore fresh options and provide opportunities to emerging domestic talents who have shown promise.

The spin department has also been a point of concern for Pakistan in recent years. Since the departure of Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah has been the only spinner to consistently deliver for Pakistan in Test cricket. However, the current situation reveals a broader issue, as Pakistan’s spin resources have not matched the success seen by other cricketing nations. Pakistan struggles in the spin department, as they are the only Asian team without a single spinner who has taken 50 Test wickets in the past four years.

This gap in performance has led to the management making bold decisions, such as opting for a pace-heavy bowling attack. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that Pakistan is also investing in the future, by developing young spinners such as Mehran Mumtaz in the A team. This indicates a strategic approach to nurturing talent and addressing the team’s long-term needs in the spin department.

A significant development in the Pakistan squad is the appointment of Saud Shakeel as the vice-captain of the Test team. This choice highlights the management’s confidence in his leadership abilities and acknowledges his valuable experience. Saud’s new role is well-deserved, given his extensive background in domestic cricket, where he has captained his team in 52 matches across different formats. His experience at the domestic level equips him to effectively support the Test captain, Shan Masood, and to take on leadership responsibilities when required.

However, a surprising omission is Haseebullah Khan. Despite Sarfaraz Ahmed being dropped from the playing XI due to a subpar wicket-keeping performance during the Australia series, he remains in the squad.

What is even more unexpected is that Haseebullah Khan has not been selected for the A team, despite his impressive domestic performances. In 23 first-class matches, Haseebullah has amassed 992 runs, including four centuries and four half-centuries, yet he has not been given a place in the current squad or the A team.

These recent changes and strategic decisions reflect a renewed commitment to Test cricket within Pakistan Cricket. It’s clear that the team is placing greater emphasis on the longest format of the game, which is a promising development for all formats. Success in Test cricket often lays the foundation for excellence in shorter formats, as it nurtures players with the skills and temperament required to excel at the highest level.

In conclusion, while the path to the World Test Championship final is challenging, it is far from impossible. Pakistan faces a tough road ahead, particularly with the upcoming series against England and South Africa.

Hosting England for a three-match series and touring South Africa for two crucial Tests will be pivotal. These encounters will be key in determining Pakistan’s chances of making it to the WTC final.

The writer is a software engineer who employs data and statistics to dissect intricacies with precision and insight. X: @abubakartarar_

Published in Dawn, EOS, August 25th, 2024