Pakistan's welcome turnaround

From Safwan Umair, Pakistan

Does an ODI series sweep over Bangladesh merit an overzealous celebration? Should we feel ecstatic and make merry? Given the state of affairs in Bangladesh cricket, a resounding ‘no’ is the answer. From the perspective of a Pakistani cricket fan though, this latest win marks 12 months of unusually consistent success.

There has been so much controversy in the past few years that any on-field performance or the lack of it hardly made headlines. Most news clips either focused on Pakistan’s cricketing venues missing international cricket, or lambasting the PCB's comical leadership. For many other media personnel, dissecting the dreaded spot-fixing fiasco was the only matter of interest. One wondered if the real essence of Pakistan cricket had been perpetually lost to a horde of incessant controversies.

Brick by brick and inch by inch, sanity, serenity and dignity is returning to Pakistan cricket. Various factors have contributed to this turnaround. The masterstroke perhaps, post the calamitous England tour last summer, was the appointment of the calm Misbah-ul-Haq as captain. One of the greatest ironies in Pakistan cricket also revolves around the same man. A natural captain and an automatic batting selection had turned 37 before sealing a permanent slot in the side.

The ODI results have been encouraging. A competitive Test side has gradually evolved courtesy a dependable set of openers and three solid, if unspectacular, middle-order batsmen in Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Misbah. A mind-boggling flow of fast-bowling talent in Pakistan has ensured that the departure of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif only helped unearth the likes of Junaid Khan and Aizaz Cheema. Saeed Ajmal is also at the top of his game, and together with Shahid Afridi, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez, he’s part of the most potent spin attack in the game.

Names alone do not matter; numbers deserve a mention too. Statistically, in the past 12 months, Pakistan enjoyed the best ODI winning percentage among all international teams, 77.41% to be precise. During the same period, Pakistan’s Test match win-loss ratio stood at 4.00, second only to the unbeaten England side. Three of the four Test wins came against New Zealand, Zimbabwe and the West Indies but, more importantly, no Test series was lost. This included a respectable draw against South Africa and a recent win over a higher-ranked Sri Lanka.

The most pleasing aspect so far has been the elimination of the ‘unpredictability’ factor. Watching a Pakistan team play consistent cricket without the fear of an imminent collapse or controversy is a welcome relief. However, the true mettle of Pakistan’s cricketing progress will be tested by England in the UAE ,in January, in what promises to be a gripping contest.