Consistently inconsistent

To err is human but to fall down repeatedly in the same manner is plain stupidity.

Pakistan’s see-saw cricket performance continued after an embarrassing loss against Zimbabwe meant they not only dropped to sixth place in the Test rankings but also went down to the minnows of the format. The defeat, which meant Pakistan only managed to level the series against the hosts, came after they had already lost a One-Day International earlier during the tour.

While the first loss — shocking that it was — could have been forgiven, the second defeat, especially in a Test, has highlighted serious concerns about the team’s continued failure in the batting department. The grey area in the Pakistan team has been pinpointed time and again but continues to be the prime reason of focus. To err is human but to fall down repeatedly in the same manner — against quality and mediocre oppositions — is plain stupidity. There are members in the Pakistan team, including vice-captain Mohammad Hafeez, who have failed to take responsibility for their poor show and have shown little signs of maturity. Younus Khan was able to save face during the first Test, which saw Pakistan claw their way to victory, but the batting line-up has failed to live up to the required standards of the international level.

At one point, Pakistan was going through turmoil, in terms of scandals and controversies shrouding many members of the squad, but that has been left behind. In leaps and bounds, the team has come a long way since and produced some astonishing results. But every now and then, a reminder is sent out that the recovery might have just been a fluke. There is little — if any — reason for continued failure. Continued changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board hierarchy, frequent modifications in the coaching panel and players’ resistance, in some cases, an abundance of it, to alter their playing style have brought about a gradual downfall. Consistency is a word not present in most players’ dictionaries and their role is limited to saving their own place in the team.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2013.

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