A vicious cycle of negativity

An eagerly awaited Test series is a few days away. After six long years Misbahul Haq’s ‘all conquering’ team is getting ready for one of the sternest tests in present-day cricket — coping with the seam and swing of English bowlers in their own backyard. Mickey Arthur and his backroom staff are drawing up strategies and combinations to combat the threat posed by James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn. Pakistan bowlers are exploring the lengths and lines to utilise to attack Alastair Cook and his batting charges.

But as the preparations unfold, Pakistan cricket analysts, journalists and ex-cricketers appear to have their focus solely on non-analytical rants — mostly contrived by their own imagination. TV programmes and newspaper articles aren’t filled with discussions on the best playing-eleven for the Lord’s Test, the bowling line-up or advice from the experts. The mainstream media couldn’t care less about the strengths and weaknesses of the squad and how it compares with the team of the ‘90s that sent England into a tailspin. Media space is largely littered by what can only be termed cringe-worthy sensationalism with our ‘pundits’ debating the salaries of players and team officials amid absurd attempts at exposing their private lives. The mad race for clicks, ratings and reads has left a nasty taste in the mouth when it comes to sport journalism in Pakistan with mediocrity and emphasis on quantity overwhelming quality for many a year now.

Some nauseatingly non-newsworthy stories are highlighted to settle personal scores, displaying the lack of impartiality of both the reporter and the media group. Analyses, predictions and statistics have taken a backseat with the mushrooming of TV channels. The emphasis is more on click bait stuff, which can satiate the audience’s supposed appetite for sensation. Even established journalists and former cricketers are busy toeing the same line.

Chief selector Inzamamul Haq’s supposed disagreement with Misbah, which is nothing more than a figment of some journalist’s imagination, grabs headlines. No one is concerned about the opening combination for the upcoming Lord’s Test while tongues continue to wag about Mohammad Amir’s reintegration into the system. Raging debates on cricket programmes focus on whether the players should have their spouses travelling with them on the tour or not, and whether Shahryar Khan will return to Pakistan from his ‘holiday’ in England as PCB chairman or throw in the towel. The salary that Mickey Arthur will earn is another ‘important’ matter of debate. In the days leading up to the filing of this piece, the English media was left puzzled with their Pakistani counterparts’ obsessive reporting on the appointment of four media managers for the tour. The PCB was left explaining the decision, causing great amusement in both local and international ranks. The merits of appointing four media managers might be questionable but to initiate an entire debate on this matter was a massive overreaction.

What the majority of media outlets fail to understand is that sports is a getaway for fans from their daily grind. Pakistanis have colossal problems to deal with and they should be allowed to reap joy from the sporting achievements of their stars. It goes without saying that failures on the field and poor administration must be condemned and all concerned must be held accountable for any misdemeanours they may commit. However, the vicious cycle of negativity shouldn’t become a hindrance in highlighting the pleasure that one gets from great performances. The pleasure of watching an athlete defy human limits in achieving what ordinary mortals consider close to impossible is one of the great joys of following sports. Some serious soul-searching is a desperate need of the hour.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2016.

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