Now that the ICC & MCC are trying to make amendments with the 50 over format and the Tests to preserve them for the future, Pakistan cricket too is in the middle of their re-building phase.
The entire cricketing fraternity knows that, Pakistan cricket has been hounded by controversies & security issues in their backyard. It’s no surprise, because, traditionally, Pakistan cricket and the scandals involving them always go hand in hand. Ever since, the attacks on the touring Sri Lankan team in the year 2008, Pakistan have not staged any International game in their country, due to the reluctance of other nations to tour Pakistan. And rightly so, which team would want to risk their lives in touring Pakistan, where there is no guarantee of security. As a result of all this, the ICC decided to completely isolate the venues in Pakistan, for international cricket. This has prevented Pakistan from staging the 50 over world cup matches, which will now be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
To add insult to injury, none of the IPL franchises picked up the Pakistani cricketers, in their team, despite having featured in the auction list, fearing any impediment. This act, again, was an embarrassment for the Pakistan cricketers and their ardent fanatics. The lack of cricket & match practice, eventually back-fired on the national team, as they couldn’t defend their ICC world t-20 title in the Caribbean and a month later failed to reach the Asia cup finals too.
Luckily, The ECB, keeping in mind the Spirit of cricket, were very kind & gracious in allowing Pakistan to host their home matches in England, till the time matters get resolved in Pakistan.
But despite all the drama surrounding Pakistan cricket, they have been extremely lucky to have produced two exciting youngsters of the game in Umar Akmal and Mohammed Aamer. One wonders, as to how Pakistan is able to deliver such incredible talent time & again. Since the emergence, of Mohammed Aamer and Umar Akmal, the younger brother of wicket- keeper batsman Kamran Akmal Pakistan cricket is blossoming into a very strong unit. Their immense talent and exuberance has indeed added a bit of spark to the squad.
Umar Akmal, from the time he has burst on to the scene, has gripped the imagination of the cricketing world, with his batting. He comes as a naturally gifted batsman, who bats aggressively, and can play all the shots in the coaching manual, and when required can be a little unorthodox and cheeky. He has been making steady progress since his arrival into the international cricket, scoring consistently in all three formats of the game. Umar Akmal, announced himself to the cricketing world, after getting a splendid 102* against the Sri Lankans at Colombo in his fourth One Day International, and helped his side to victory. And, one can never forget the way he hammered the Kiwi’s in their own backyard at Dunedin, on his test match debut, where he scored an attacking 129 of just 160 balls in his first innings and 75 in the second. The kiwi attack mind you, included the likes of Bond and Vettori.
He then, went to Australia and took on the Aussie attack, without exuding any fear. Scoring consistently, throughout the tour.
Umar, though, has the uncanny knack of gifting away his wicket to the opposition, with some reckless shots. And understandably so, still being relatively new into the international arena, Umar has to improve on his temperament, which is very essential for any batsman to survive and sustain at the highest level of cricket.
Unfortunately, for Umar, he has come into the Pakistan team, at a time, when their cricket is in absolute turmoil and in the middle of a restructuring period. And, he is one of their main batsman, with the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan missing from their ranks. So, to shoulder such a huge responsibility is indeed a daunting task for him. Although, there is a cry by the former Pakistani players to have Yousuf and Younus back in the squad. If they, are called back into the side, then Umar can express himself in a much better fashion. Playing in their shadows will certainly keep him in good stead for the future.
But, for the time being the future, for Umar looks very bright, and he has got all the accolades to become one of the greatest batsman to have played for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the 18 year old Mohammad Aamer is another sensation in the rising. Aamer, since his debut has shown tremendous promise. Aamer too has impressed one and all in his tour to Sri Lanka, and then Australia, where he unleashed himself with his swing bowling. He clearly, has the Australian batmen in trouble. Aamer has this gift of swinging the ball both ways, and with raw pace, which makes him quite difficult for the batters to handle. Apart, from being talented, Aamer, is also a very smart operator. He is a thinking cricketer, and is always on the look out to out fox the batsman.
At only 18, Aamer is already leading the Pakistan bowling attack and is consistently picking up the wickets. Who, can forget the way Aamer, got the priced scalp of the master Sachin Tendulkar, with a lovely teasing delivery just outside the off stump, in the recently concluded Asia cup. And, the way, Aamer troubled the Aussie Skipper Ricky Ponting at lord’s, before finally getting the better of him.
With a smooth run-up to the crease and a quick arm action much similar to the former Pakistani great Wasim Akram, Aamer is clearly a great prospect for Pakistan and for world cricket. The key, though for him would be to maintain his fitness, in today’s grueling schedule.
Aamer was recently praised by the former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja when he openly said “I think Aamer is more mature than Wasim at 18. Aamer’s progress augurs well for Pakistan and I hope he continues to work hard and take Pakistan cricket forward,”
Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram too agreed with his former team mate, he said “Aamer is much clever than I was at 18. It was exciting to watch Aamer bowl so well at lord’s. "He is a special talent and has pace, nip and can swing the ball both ways which is ideal for a paceman, and augurs well for his future. Aamer has got a good head start and is a quick learner, so I see no reason why he can’t go on to become the leading fast bowler,”
The danger though, for both Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer is the way Pakistan cricket is administered. We all know the history of Pakistan cricket and how quickly they can get themselves into a mess. The talent of both these youngsters is very prominent, but the secret to their long term success in the international arena depends, on how their Pakistan management handles them and how their talent is nurtured and harnessed.
With the 50 over world cup not very distant, it is very imperative, for Pakistan cricket that, both, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer stay physically and mentally fit. Because, clearly, Pakistan’s best chance to put up a good show in the world cup lies in the hands of these two incredible talents.
The above article was published in the Aug edition of Cricket Today magazine.
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