Rotation policy not feasible in our culture: chief selector
Qasim laments lack of quality reserve players for national cricket team.
Lack of form and inconsistency in the players’ performance has acted as a hurdle for the selection committee in finalising the perfect combination, said Qasim. PHOTO: AFP
The rotation policy, which is put to effective use by other countries such as Australia, is not feasible in Pakistan due to the players’ insecure nature, said chief selector Iqbal Qasim, according to ESPNcricinfo.
There have been calls to test young talent in order to groom them for the future, which will prepare them for the time when they need to replace the seniors in the squad, but Qasim felt the Pakistan seniors do not like being treated this way.
“It doesn’t fit here as players are insecure and they never would want to be rested,” said Qasim. “The present crop of players is in a rebuilding process and we are trying to form a good combination. We are in fact in no position to rotate players as the phenomenon isn’t feasible in our culture. Players start obsessing about their place rather than giving their best.”
Qasim admitted the team was still undergoing a rebuilding process, which has been the case for some time now, and added that some limitations hindered the progression.
“Realistically, we do not have a pool of quality reserve players. We are giving players opportunities, but they have to raise the standard of their game and grab their chances.”
The former spinner said the situation in domestic cricket was not ‘encouraging’, adding that the best combination of the team was yet to be formed. “We are trying to look for young cricketers, but the situation in domestic cricket is not encouraging.”
Critics have lamented the lack of quality young players in the side, pointing out the downward slide in the fast-bowling and batting departments as the main concern. The calls came after a disappointing performance by the team during the South Africa series where Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in the Tests and lost 3-2 in the One-Day International (ODI) series.
Qasim said the lack of consistency was a problem for the selection committee. “We want stability in a player’s performance so that we can look at the long term. Unfortunately, they lack consistency and are neither helping us nor themselves.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2013.