Kamran Ghulam’s Struggle in Domestic Cricket
Kamran Ghulam had been scoring runs for years in domestic cricket, yet he never got a chance on the international stage. Despite his consistent performances, the system seemed to fail him. Recently, during the Champions Cup, Ghulam scored two centuries but was still unlikely to get selected. His frustration with the system was shared by fellow players, who jokingly remarked, “Even if you score four centuries, it’s not like you’re going to get selected.”
Aqib Javed’s Bold Selection
When Aqib Javed was appointed as the new selector, everything changed. Known for his fair and bold decisions, Aqib dropped big names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Kamran Ghulam was finally given an opportunity to play. Understanding that this might be his last chance, Ghulam poured all his energy into his performance and scored a century.
System Failures and Player Selection
Pakistan cricket has long been plagued by system failures, where promising players are overlooked despite stellar domestic performances. For instance, Babar Azam, now a superstar, played 18 Test innings without scoring a half-century, while new players are often discarded after just two failures. This double standard is something Aqib Javed is addressing with his selections.
The Pitch and Babar Azam
Another challenge has been the preparation of pitches. Ramiz Raja, former PCB chairman, recently blamed Babar Azam for the bad wickets in the home series against Australia and England, stating that the pitches were made at Babar’s request. Raja supported lifeless tracks to avoid defeat but now points fingers at Babar after the results turned unfavorable.
Aqib Javed’s Impact: Breaking the Losing Streak
Pakistan cricket’s long-standing drought of home wins came to an end under Aqib Javed’s selection regime. Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, once considered unfit, returned and took 20 wickets in the second Test against England. The continuous defeats had left fans disheartened, but this victory brought renewed hope.
Fairness in Selection is The Key to Success
Aqib Javed’s bold decisions have sent a strong message to the players: no one is bigger than the team. His selection process has brought fairness and merit back into focus, which has started to yield positive results. His work with Lahore Qalandars, which produced stars like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, proves that Aqib has a keen eye for talent.
Ramiz Raja, Babar Azam and Aqib Javed
Ramiz Raja has been vocal about Babar Azam’s role in Pakistan cricket, often defending him even when results were unfavorable. He claimed that Babar’s absence would reduce sponsorships, but Aqib Javed’s selection strategies and team victories suggest that Pakistan cricket is much bigger than one player. If the team keeps winning, new stars will emerge, and Pakistan cricket will thrive.
The Right Track for Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan cricket is finally on the right track after three and a half years of struggles at home. With Aqib Javed’s fair selections and a renewed focus on merit, the team has started to win again, and fans have new hope for the future. The recent changes are critical for the survival and success of Pakistan cricket.
