Daily Times

A brilliant innings of 62 runs by young opener Mukhtar Ahmad helped salvage a much-needed victory for struggling Pakistan in the second T20 match against Zimbabwe. It was Pakistan’s first home series against any Test playing side in the last six years. Zimbabwe put up a strong resistance till the last ball and kept the hosts under pressure. The outcome of the series is being seen as a litmus test of the selectors’ decision to form a team consisting of junior and senior players. Though Pakistan has secured victory in both T20 games, yet questions are being raised about the overall performance of the team. The areas of batting, fielding and bowling still need a lot of improvement. Poor fielding, non-availability of attacking bowlers and the all too frequent middle order batting collapse are some of the common concerns that have not been addressed yet. In the given circumstances, the Pakistani players need to be encouraged and supported. Due to uncertainty about inclusion in the team, experienced players like Umar Akmal lose confidence and cannot give their 100 percent. The present team is a combination of new and experience players. It is in the rebuilding process and passing through a transition phase since a number of senior players have retired or are on the verge of retirement. Rebuilding is a complicated process and it will take time for the new team to click like a single unit again.

That the Pakistan Cricket Board has given a chance to young blood is a good decision. These young talented players should be encouraged and given more chances to adjust and improve their game at the international level. Senior players should support these young players. The selectors need to ensure a balance in the team. The inclusion of young players and the presence of experienced players like Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal can give the team much needed impetus. This home series carries a number of lessons for the players as well as the management to set a course for the future. During the one-day matches against Zimbabwe (starting today), the selectors should persist with the same combination. It is encouraging that promising talent has been found; there is only the need to polish it. The support shown by the home crowd was unprecedented and passionate. The presence of thousands of roaring fans in the sweltering heat during both the games showed how much the country has missed international sides playing against Pakistan in a home series. Now it is time for the apex cricket body (the ICC) and other international teams to reverse their decision of abandoning Pakistan.. *