• How is Imran Khan stll part of this list?”
• “How is he even featured in this catalog after retiring decades ago?”
• “How can he still be relevant after almost 33 years?”
• These were the comments and reactions flooding all over social media. These outbursts occurred after a graphic popped up during the Australia vs. West Indies first Test a few days earlier. The graphic represented a list of some notable stats that were meant to highlight the impact of Australia’s current captain, Pat Cummins. He was positioned at number 2 on the list, which was genuinely astonishing to consider.

Though no slight to Pat, it was the name perched at the very top of that list that got everyone talking. Three decades since he last wore the whites, and yet, there he was still dominating the tables.

This stat was about “most test wins as captain,” and the name occupying the first spot on the list was “Imran Khan.”

For a moment, it seemed like an astonishing development when people were crediting him for this monumental record, doing so with genuine surprise. That, though, was refreshing to see, yet their astonishment felt laced with a hint of irony. Why were they bewildered in the first place? Why the shock at all? This is Imran Khan we’re talking about, arguably Pakistan’s greatest cricketer and, quite convincingly, a strong contender for the title of Pakistan’s finest bowler as well.

These, of course, are weighty claims, particularly when one might ask: how could such a title lean toward Imran, especially when Wasim and Waqar graced the very same country? But there’s a wealth of evidence and statistical reasoning to support that view.

Was Imran Khan truly a better bowler than Wasim Akram & Waqar Younis?

Firstly, if we consider only those bowlers in Pakistan’s cricket history who have taken over 300 wickets, there’s only one bowler who averages below 28.3 against all oppositions and in all countries. He is, of course, Pakistani, but he’s not Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis. It’s the great Imran Khan, the indomitable force of nature.

Moving forward, here’s something even more extraordinary to consider: he’s also the only Pakistani fast bowler with more than five ten-wicket hauls to his name. He has six ten-wicket hauls.

Imran Khan’s career average, strike rate, and economy rate are all better than Wasim Akram’s. That’s something quite staggering.

From raw stats, it’s worth transitioning to impact and workload. Richard Hadlee (arguably New Zealand’s greatest cricketer ever) is often glorified a lot, and deservingly so, for carrying New Zealand in the 80s era. It’s even said that if anyone ever elevated New Zealand to relevance, it had to be Hadlee. But above all, if he’s predominantly credited for something, it’s his immense workload. We often see Richard Hadlee receiving a great deal of praise for being a lone warrior. This is indeed true, but if we consider Imran’s support bowlers, they were also very similar in a lot of contexts to that of Hadlee’s support bowlers. Imran Khan’s support bowlers, Sarfraz Nawaz (32.75 average), Abdul Qadir (32.80), and Tauseef Ahmed (32.17), were comparable in quality to Richard Hadlee’s support bowlers, including Chatfield (32.17), Snedden (37.91), and Cairns (32.26), with similar averages and secondary roles.

Consequently, throughout his career, Imran Khan also had to bowl more overs per innings than Wasim or Waqar. Imran bowled more overs per innings (27.29) across his career (88 Tests, 3,875.4 overs) than Wasim (25.54 overs, 104 Tests, 4,214.3 overs) and Waqar (19.88 overs, 87 Tests, 2,704 overs).

Yet despite all of this, from 1982 to 1989, Imran Khan had scored 1,971 runs in 54 innings at an average of 49.27. Only five players (Miandad, Border, Zaheer Abbas, Dean Jones, and Vengsarkar) scored more runs at a better average.

But Imran Khan was an all-rounder, so he was known for conjuring magic from all fronts. During the very same period, he also picked up 210 wickets in 43 Tests at an average of around 18.76. No bowler took more wickets at a better average in this period. How insane this looks.

Comparison with other all-rounder trios:

It’d be safe to assume that among the all-rounder trio of Hadlee, Botham, and Kapil Dev, Imran Khan was arguably the most consistent and popular all-rounder. There are a lot of pegs to justify these arguments.

• From raw numbers, Imran was the only one among the quartet (Imran, Hadlee, Botham, Kapil) with a Test career batting average above 35 (37.69) and a bowling average below 25 (22.81). Hadlee’s bowling average (22.29) is slightly better, but his batting (27.16) is weaker, and Botham (33.54 batting, 28.40 bowling) and Kapil (31.05 batting, 29.64 bowling) have lower batting and higher bowling averages, giving Imran a clear statistical edge as an all-rounder.
• If we only consider head-to-head comparisons involving Imran and these magnified all-rounders, Imran edges out here, too. Imran and Kapil collided head-to-head 20 times. In those games, Imran outperformed Kapil in both batting (~40.00 vs. ~25.00) and bowling (~18.50 vs. ~30.00). Imran also dominated Botham in head-to-head comparisons across 15 matches, with batting (~42.00 vs. ~25.00) and bowling (~17.50 vs. ~32.00), reinforcing his career statistical edge.
• Similarly, Imran outperformed Hadlee in batting (~38.00 vs. ~20.00), though Hadlee had a slightly better bowling edge (~18.00 vs. ~20.00).
• Imran Khan never declined in Test cricket. In fact, in the last 10 years of his career, Imran played 51 Tests from 1982 to 1992, with a batting average of 51.34 (>50) and a bowling average of 19.16. So, even based on the last phase of his career, it could be confidently assumed that Imran Khan is arguably the only all-rounder after Sir Garfield Sobers to merit a place in a Test side based on either batting or bowling alone in his last 10 years. His 51.34 batting average rivals specialist batsmen, and his 19.16 bowling average surpasses most specialist bowlers.

Imran Khan’s peak, a true phenomenon!

It’s slightly unfair that Imran’s legacy is sometimes limited solely to the World Cup. Of course, his being Pakistan’s only skipper to deliver an ODI World Cup to the nation, he deserves every bit of respect for it. However, it doesn’t merely define the icing on the cake. Imran’s true legacy was in Test cricket. The peak Imran was something else — brutal, thrilling, unimaginable, vintage.

Imran’s Test career started back in the 70s, but perhaps it was in the early 80s when Imran reached his peak. In 1982, at the age of 30, Imran perhaps clicked his peak. It was the time for his life within to switch from gills to lungs. He took 62 wickets in just nine Tests with an unbelievable average of 13 in that very same year.

He was appointed captain of the Test team in the same year, 1982. After completing his first year as Test match captain, he took 88 wickets in 13 Tests with some unbelievable match-winning performances. How were these performances? A throwback to his role in the famous 1982–83 Test series would perhaps describe it best. India toured Pakistan for six Tests from December 1982 to January 1983. Imran Khan was the captain for all the Tests. Pakistan won the series 3–0, with 3 draws. And how about Imran’s role in that series? On Christmas Day, in Karachi, he became the first Pakistani bowler to take 200 wickets. He ended with 8–60, including 5–3 in his last 25 balls. But this was just one match.

He followed this magnificent performance with another stellar performance at Faisalabad. He took 11 wickets with the ball and scored 117 off just 121 balls. This is part of the world record that he became only the third player who had taken a five-for in each innings of a Test and scored a ton in the same Test. This list includes Alan Davidson, Ian Botham, and Imran Khan, and has now also been joined by Shakib Al Hasan.

This is indeed remarkable, but it’s even more awe-inspiring to consider the fact that he was doing all of this with a developing stress fracture. Unfortunately, however, this stress fracture saw him sit out for almost two years.

After two years, when Imran finally made a comeback, it was 1985. He naturally took some time to rediscover his rhythm. He led Pakistan to a monumental 1–0 Test series win in India in 1987 (averaging ~40 with the bat, ~20 with the ball) and followed with a memorable 1–0 triumph in England in 1987 (~50 batting, ~18 bowling). Imran Khan was also instrumental in securing at least three draws against the West Indies in the 1980s (Faisalabad 1986, Karachi 1986, Bridgetown 1988), contributing immensely with the bat (e.g., 61 in Faisalabad) and the ball (e.g., 7/115 in Bridgetown).

Imran Khan, the fast bowling genius!

Imran Khan was a mastermind with the intellect of the game and supreme at his craft. At the peak of his career, he knew what had to be done with his tools and the execution of his skill sets. He was lethal with conventional and reverse swing at high pace. A run-up that nearly started level with the third or fourth slip, a hypnotic approach, with the upper body just turning forward. And the cold-blooded character to his demeanor, a compensating device to keep him from loving the game so much that he freezes in action. He was coming and obliterating the opposition out of the water.

Viv Richards himself was in awe of his bowling mastery. He called Imran one of the fiercest competitors and said that no matter how confidently you were batting, he would always have a delivery that could crash through and dismantle you.

His well-recognized mate, Wasim Akram, was also full of praise for his skills. Wasim recalled Imran advising him to “bowl with intent” and use reverse swing tactically.

The verdict

Pakistan cricket has a rich history. Imran Khan was actively part of only one chapter of that history. There are a plethora of players who have emerged after him. Some players have scored more runs than him, some have taken more wickets than him, but Imran Khan would remain the finest player his country has produced. And he’ll likely stay there for a long time unless some extraordinary career opportunity appears.

And this is something that doesn’t require validation from any particular sect or group within the country. It should be an unsullied, uncorrupted belief: soundproof, waterproof, bulletproof. PTI or PML-N, liberal or conservative, pro-establishment or anti-establishment, even Indian or Pakistani, there should be unanimous agreement: Imran Khan is Pakistan’s greatest cricketer ever. There should be no room for revision. No force yanking at our sleeves. The architecture of our psyches should be that, without exerting any effort or even thinking about it, without considering any voice piping up in our head, we should acknowledge the great man.

Eight years without a single piece of silverware, three successive group-stage eliminations from ICC events, a humiliating whitewash at home against Bangladesh, and mortifying defeats to the USA, Ireland, and Afghanistan—this completes the list of some of the most agonizing and unforeseen scars in Pakistan cricket’s diary over the last four years.

And to compound the misery, they crashed out of the Champions Trophy in the very first round—while being the hosts and defending champions. If there was ever a night of turmoil and worry, this was it.

Speaking of the Champions Trophy, this tournament has always held a special connection with Pakistan cricket. Very recently, they received the honor of hosting their first-ever ICC event after nearly three decades. And not too long ago, Pakistan set the cricketing world on fire by triumphing in this prestigious tournament—vanquishing the star-studded, multi-million-dollar team of their arch-rivals in the grand final.

If a comparison can be drawn between Pakistan of Champions Trophy 2017 and Pakistan of Champions Trophy 2025—and then followed up with a reflection on the series of events leading to the tournament—it would make one wonder what kind of catastrophe has befallen Pakistan cricket.

Of course, as a regular watcher and follower of Pakistan cricket, expecting extreme highs and crushing lows—one minute down, the next minute up, kabhi arsh par, kabhi farsh par—is nothing new. Especially since 2003, Pakistan has leaned more than ever on Saqlain’s favorite viral phrase “Qudrat ka Nizaam” when it comes to maintaining consistency on most occasions.

Those previous teams had their occasions to prove themselves—and at times, they did. Even if we start from 2011, that team, filled with superstars, played India in the semis. The 2015 team, though not the strongest on paper, still fought hard. Then came 2017—a transition period—yet Pakistan somehow cracked the code and seized the trophy on that grand occasion.
In Test cricket, Pakistan had a solid unit under Misbah. That team toppled some very good sides and even became the No. 1 ranked Test team once.

This team, post-2019, however, seems to be plunging to an alarmingly lower level—even by its own previous standards. The only format where they appeared relatively formidable was T20Is, as they performed quite well in two consecutive T20 World Cups. Yet, even in this format, they’ve looked drastically off-color over the past 10–11 months.

A first-round exit, a crushing defeat to the USA in WC 2024, and the fact that their last victory came against associate nations—while suffering defeats both before and after those matches—inevitably lead to the same conclusion.

ODI cricket—one might assume Pakistani players relish playing. The results, however, dismantle that notion. Bilateral series victories aside (though Pakistan takes great care of those), the state of Pakistan’s team in multinational tournaments demands nurturing of the highest order.
The last multinational tournament where they truly impressed was—once again—the Champions Trophy 2017. Since then, they have failed to even secure a semifinal spot in any ODI tournament.

The less said about Test cricket, the better. Barring a rare recent occasion of cracking the code to seize a series from England at home, nothing fresh for the soul has happened in the past few years. The embarrassing draws on home soil—and the never-ending, permanent drubbings away—would make one wonder whether Pakistan is even deemed a competitive unit in the format.

It's quite agonizing—almost unbearable—to even use these words as a Pakistan cricket fan. It feels like a dagger to the soul to entertain such a thought. But with relentless outcries and conspicuous realities staring us down, one might have to admit that Pakistan might be a "second-tier team" now. Maybe not yet—but certainly on the verge.

How did it come to this? How can it even be the case that Pakistan—a land once revered for its pacers—no longer has the firepower to terrorize opposition? How has a nation, once graced with batters as effortlessly elegant as they were devastatingly impactful, failed to produce a single weapon of consequence? How has chaos been unleashed to such an extent? How has a rally car, once skidding around bends, regressed into a shopping trolley pushed by an old woman?

Well, firstly, if you’ve been following the current crop of Pakistani players, one sentiment must have inevitably crossed your mind—that the majority of them are underachievers, considering the amount of talent they have.

Now, a few of them are overall very good individually, just not landing their feet right in terms of impact when it comes to making a combined effort to break barriers for the team. An example would be the performances of a few key players in past multinational tournaments. Since the rest of the group revolves around the performance of seniors, their inability to deliver on the grandest stages is a crushing disappointment. There’s no excuse for them letting their team down.

But if they are to be dropped, rested, or replaced by a few others, would that really fix the problem?
Actually, Pakistan has tried this game before, multiple times. shuffling players, making abrupt changes—only to find themselves trapped in the same cycle of mediocrity, facing the same problems three or four years down the line.

There is, however, a deeper, more troubling issue—one that continuously gets overlooked, each time in a different way.It’s the PCB management and the way affairs are handled behind the scenes.

Sure, you can blame the players, scapegoat them, reshuffle the squad, and introduce changes. But step back for a moment and consider this:If your team hasn’t produced a world-class red-ball pacer in over a decade, if it has failed to qualify for the semifinals of prestigious tournaments for just as long, and if it can’t even maintain a 50% win record in home Test matches, then surely there’s something fundamentally wrong within the system.

After every tournament exit, after every big series defeat, Pakistan changes the captain, coach, chief selector, and sometimes even the chairman, believing they have fixed the problem. In reality, they haven’t. This knee-jerk reaction only increases the problem rather than solving it. Meanwhile, the players—the actual product—remain mere crash test dummies, enduring the same cycle as a revolving door of officials comes and goes. This isn’t reform but an illusion of confidence and the ignorance of the masses, keeping this house of cards standing.

Here’s a bit of unmasking—of this unbearable cycle of changes and mismanagement from every corner. This factor could actually awaken the mind—prompting it to seek answers that may ultimately validate the unspoken truth buried within the question itself.

Chairmen who navigate blind—unaware of what they’re doing!

This could be said an entirely country’s political bound problem and frankly it can’t be put on PCB. this is not entirely the PCB’s doing.

Since the chairman is appointed by the prime minister, and given that the premiership itself has hardly been a stable post in the country, it’s not something that should make one stumble or wrinkle their brow.

However, in the past few years, this chair has witnessed a revolving door of faces—all in the name of revolution and whatnot. There’s been no obvious philosophy or schtick, no memorable tactical gambits—just changes to satisfy the inner self with the illusion that it might work. In the last few years since Ehsan Mani stepped down, the PCB has seen four different chairmen: Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and now the current political minister, Mohsin Naqvi

The problem isn’t merely about these changes or why they occur—it’s about what they bring. Every chairman arrives with his own self-proclaimed Aladdin’s formula, indulging his ego while dismantling previous plans, all under the illusion of securing Pakistan cricket. Ironically, he can’t even secure his own position.

For example, Ramiz Raja—who was inducted as someone with a background in the cricket fraternity—immediately set his sights on neutering Pakistan’s pitches. The move was not just terrible and unnecessary—but also perversely deliberate—that not only pushed Pakistan cricket far back but also ensured that Pakistani cricketers didn’t upscale their skills by playing on these flat surfaces.

The Pakistan Junior League introduction was another highlight of the Ramiz era. Though that tournament earned the PCB PKR 94.72 million—it cost them PKR 929 million. Unsurprisingly, it was scrapped after just one season.

Then came a change in government—and how could one not expect the chairman’s seat at the PCB to be swiftly reshuffled?
Enter Najam Sethi—who had previously helmed this position—installed as a knee-jerk reaction. In less than six months, this man literally replaced the 2019 PCB constitution with the 2014 version. What followed was the exit of a board with independent directors and the return of a chairman with absolute powers.
Sethi also couldn’t resist tampering with the domestic structure—so he brought back departmental cricket.

Zaka Ashraf—another familiar face from the past—took the chair, propelled by political influence. Throughout his tenure, his sole effort was to fortify his grip on the position—he couldn't succeed.

As political appointments were a concern, they went a step further and brought in an actual political figure—yes, the Interior Minister of Pakistan—for this position.The first and immediate step this man took was the introduction of the Champions Cup tournament in domestic cricket. With three tournaments already in place, one could wonder—what exactly would a new one add? But Naqvi saw this as a game-changer.

He didn’t look back, appointing five team mentors and allowing them to earn PKR 5 million (about US$18,000) a month each. Interestingly, apart from two, the rest had no prior coaching experience.
Just how crazy were their salaries? Well, let’s put it into perspective—these mentors were making more than any centrally contracted Pakistan player, except for the top three in the highest category.
To make it even wilder, their three-year contracts will cost the PCB nearly half of what the board is set to earn from its entire broadcast rights deal for all home international cricket in the same period.

This basically sets the foundation for complete chaos at the lower levels. How can you expect a government to perform if you change its finance minister every six months, with each new one bringing a completely different approach?

Army of Coaches and chief selectors:

These positions are now doomed to an endless cycle of revolving faces. In just the past three years, there have been eight head coaches and, astonishingly, 28 selectors. The manner in which they are hired and discarded is well another ordeal too painful to dissect

For instance, how Mickey Arthur was introduced with online coaching (ever heard of that term?)—and then how he went off the scene. How Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie were lured in with promises of long-term commitments—and how they were dismissed in an absurd fashion. These are awkward questions that are not always satisfactorily answered.

This is appalling. How can someone like Abdullah Shafique ever refine his technique without a permanent, qualified coach guiding him consistently? How is Babar Azam supposed to identify his flaws and rectify them when there isn’t a stable, long-term coach to provide steady advice? How can Shaheen work on his bowling action when he’s met with a new coach every other month?They believe the pain of defeat mingles with the anxiety of change—but they are unaware that they’re shooting at a flying pigeon in a dark room. Good luck hitting anything but the wall or the ceiling.

Mandatory captaincy changes to destroy unity!

This feels like a humdrum script. Captaincy changes after every tournament exit aren’t new in Pakistan cricket—but they have outdone even their own chaotic standards with sheer mismanagement in recent years.

There have been five full-time captains. The moment Babar Azam was nudged into resigning as the all-format captain after the 2023 World Cup, a chain of absurd appointments began. Shaheen Afridi came and went—yes, after just one series. Incredibly, they brought Babar back, only for him to step down again after a disastrous T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. Then came Mohammad Rizwan, who, as fate would have it, was also destined to depart after the Champions Trophy 2025 from T20Is.

Now, talks of rift and unity are quite prevalent in the media. Frankly, most of them might just be rumors—but the way PCB has managed things, this sort of division and disruption seems entirely believable.

How can a player react the same way when he’s dropped straight after just one series? How can you expect them to maintain the same camaraderie when uncertainty looms over their place in the team after every match?

Bilateral series are played with one goal—winning!

Call it a trend or an evolving paradigm of the game—most formidable cricketing nations play bilateral cricket to cultivate strong bench strength and experiment with innovative strategies. In other words, they don’t see bilateral cricket merely as a quest for victories but as an opportunity to explore options that will help them excel in major tournaments—where they aim to trade in the hard currency of wins, not sentiments.

Pakistan, for so many reasons, however, doesn't follow the same pattern. They have just planted the commands right into their skulls that they'll be putting their all into winning the series—whether it means never trying their bench options at all.

There have been instances where senior players could have been rested to manage workload and test the bench, yet they played every game.

This doesn’t cost them immediately; sometimes, they even win these bilaterals. But when big tournaments come, this approach comes back to bite them in a horrible way—they find themselves short of a mandatory spinner, a reliable opener, or a crucial pacer. They realize their squad lacks depth, leaving them scrambling for last-minute solutions. Often, they end up recalling an old player with no recent experience in international cricket, hoping for a miracle.

But imagine if it were a bilateral series—adrenaline would course through everyone’s veins as if they were fighting for a grand prize.

Injuries management with negligence

This is something that perhaps is as absurd to contemplate for a big cricketing nation as it is to openly admit. However, a few big names like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Amir, and Rashid Latif have already acknowledged it.

Actually, Pakistan's medical panel is far from top-tier—to put it generously. This state is too arbitrary, too manufactured, and too oppressive.

Even if we start from the past, the likes of Mohammad Zahid, etc., were true examples of poor management.
In recent years, the heat from the medical panel has intensified. There’s still a desire to go beyond, untrap themselves, and make life full of underlying tension and fear for fans.

For example, a half-fit Shaheen was allowed to bowl in WC22. This made sure he didn’t get his pace back as early as he should have. Haris Sohail's knee surgery was botched (he admitted that), making him miss his peak years. Zeeshan Zameer, a young fast bowler, is still unsure when he'll ever be fully fit. And, of course, Ihsanullah’s case—it’s heard that he can no longer bowl over 145 as his biomechanics were horribly set. This is just troublesome, and worse, deleterious to cricket at large.

Format mixing inescapable in Pakistan!

Let me tell you how this carrot-for-donkey approach is hurting Pakistan cricket. Haris Sohail never had the supreme fitness to dominate Test cricket, but he was forced to play this format based on his ODI performances. Hasan Ali was reinstated in white-ball cricket on the back of his stellar red-ball displays.

Even a player as potentially special as Babar was burdened with all three formats and compelled to infuse power-hitting into his repertoire for T20 cricket, ultimately compromising his red-ball technique. Even Pakistan’s current captain, Salman Ali Agha, is selected in T20Is based on his performances in longer formats.

These all insidious blunders by management and the unseen hands who run the board from behind combine to ensure Pakistan never stays on top. Maybe this isn’t their agenda, but their actions manifest as if it is.

There's—of course—an amount of talent in Pakistan, but talent development is zero. Every country has players who improve over time with experience—in Pakistan, it happens otherwise. Talent comes, climbs to the sky, faces a rough patch—a never-ending one—where it even feels shorn of enormous know-how and eventually leads to dropping him.

For example, one couldn't even consider a team combination without someone like Babar, Shaheen, or Shadab back in 2021—now their threat has waned to the extent that dropping them from any format wouldn't be a totally unexpected move. Four years ago, we had the likes of Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan, and Sarfraz replicating a similar pattern.

perhaps maybe a better era might come when merit cut through the jingoism and blind hatred that blights cricket fandom and maybe just maybe Pakistan back to their deepest genuise, their true endowment, the poetry of their very being.

We need it. Cricket needs it.

Over the years, Pakistan cricket has been a formidable factory for producing some top-class batters in limited-overs cricket. Apart from gifting those who were consistently terrific—like Javed Miandad, Mohammad Yousuf, and Misbah-ul-Haq—Pakistan cricket has also made sure that the cricket audience in the country never feels deprived of being spectators of those impactful players who can change the course of the game. Pakistan’s audience has remained blessed to witness the likes of Inzamam, Saeed Anwar, Razzaq, and—to some extent—Shahid Afridi, who wasn’t only ahead of their time but also conducted their careers by combining a great average with a wonderful strike rate.

Over the period, there was a discernible slump in producing these lots of impactful batters. Particularly in the last decade, the majority of Pakistani fans—including myself—have been vocal about Pakistan’s stark decline in this department. There were articles by cricket pundits and data analysts dissecting how Pakistan had struggled to unearth such elite talents. Truth be told, this was an undeniably valid argument—it genuinely felt like a pressing issue to me.

For years, I had this disappointment lingering in my mind that Pakistan cricket hasn’t produced players of the caliber of likes of Klaasen, Sharma, Miller, Buttler, or Pandya for quite some time now—players who can win matches on their own, who could compel us to find the stark light of love for this sport, uncompromised by a fearful “Mr. Nice” act.

I had convinced myself that this conclusion was a genuine reason why we were not doing well in white-ball cricket—unable to achieve distant, towering, impossible, unimaginable feats. I thought we were carrying illusions—like a carrot for a donkey.

I still think I was quite right, based on my creative brainpower and my judgments, however.

The fool was I to not consider Fakhar Zaman of Mardan, though. He has been, as Churchill said of Russia, “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

Fakhar might not belong to the same elite class as these stalwarts—he might not be as consistent as some of his contemporaries, and he might not enjoy the same hype as some of the big names—but he does have enough credentials to claim that his name needs to be taken in that list, being the sole Pakistani to own the impact chart.

Is the 'Impact Player' tag fitting for Fakhar?

A simple question—if the Pakistani team is batting and facing a massive target, who is the one player you'd trust to keep their chances alive? The one who, as long as he's at the crease, makes you believe the game is still within reach? The one who would do everything in his power to snatch victory from the opposition? There may be plenty of arguments, but my finger points only toward Fakhar—that’s when you truly realize how invaluable he is.

He is, at once, a man whose role is so unique that just about no one else in Pakistan can replicate it—the only power-hitting, firestarter opener in this squad, capable of the kind of big, skyscraper batting. When he finds himself in the zone, few other batsmen in world cricket look as capable of sending every delivery over the heads of any fielders placed between long-on and midwicket—a man capable of conjuring a six out of nothing. He has this gravitational force that he now comfortably channels, one that demands you stay pinned down for every single ball he faces.

Like that inning in the Champions Trophy final in 2017—India vs. Pakistan, the final of an ICC event, with hundreds of millions watching every ball—and he walks in like a club cricketer who has just raced there from work, ready to have some fun. It might be a guy playing only his fourth game, but it looks like someone who has been doing this for ten years, utterly unfazed by failure. Staring the very concept of pressure right in the eye, he makes a mockery of it—killing it with his unparalleled tranquility.

Imagine how extraordinary your very first tournament must be when someone as great as Virat Kohli acknowledges your brilliance in style after witnessing you for the first time from the receiving end. These were the exact words from India’s finest:

“When guys like Zaman get going, he plays unorthodox shots, they're really difficult to stop. Eighty percent of his shots were high risk and they were all coming off. You can only do so much as a bowler and a captain when that is happening. Sometimes you've to sit and say the guy is good enough on the day to tackle everything. The controllables become very little when people are doing well like that.."

Or take that unforgettable innings of 126 in a must-win game against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup—chasing a mammoth 400. Pakistan was written off, deemed to have no business even contesting the match—until the entire crowd at Chinnaswamy bore witness to the sweet sound of Fakhar’s bat. A tock—unthreatening and benign as a table tennis pong. A sound that represents modern batting in green shirts—a sound of a leftie swallowing everything in his path to achieve the impossible. A sound of his deepest genius, his true endowment—the poetry of his very being.

There haven’t been just a few instances you could count on your fingertips where Fakhar has flipped the game’s switch seriously—200+ in Zimbabwe, 194 in South Africa, 134 in England, and many more milestones for a man who doesn’t care about personal records. There’s not enough wattage in the world to measure the electricity of his every single inning.

How Fakhar does what he does best!

Fakhar’s methods are rusting and unorthodox. A mere glance at his grip tells the story—his back foot often strays outside the leg stump. He is one of the rare batsmen in top-level international cricket who lacks a trigger movement, reacting only after the ball has left the bowler’s hand. He stays beside the line of the ball, relying purely on the sharp coordination of hand and eye. It’s a technique that thrives on instinct, one that likely wouldn’t respond well to excessive tinkering.

Sometimes, when you look at Fakhar Zaman, you wonder what it takes to succeed with such an unorthodox technique. But technique itself becomes merely a liaison between ambition and execution when it is fueled by unwavering self-belief. When he finds his zone, something clicks on a biological level. The signals from his mind to his body—controlling the bat swing, fine-tuning hand speed, sharpening his vision—all align in perfect harmony.

Fakhar is the strong square of the pitch—he likes width and throws his hands at anything short or full, wide of the stumps. He also has a reasonably good pick-up shot when the ball drifts onto his legs.

The self-belief, however, is something truly special about Fakhar. He’s been able to summon deep mental reserves even when he’s not at the top of his game. He has planted commands right into his skull—that he’s going to play for the star on his shirt most humbly.

Even being generous, it can easily be said that Pakistan has found an opener in the form of Fakhar in the post-Sehwagian age—one who neither worries nor gets tied down by what has passed but only believes in what he can do with what lies ahead. He’s an indomitable character, with a heart as cold and hard as a taxman’s—not one to be moved by the moment.

It shouldn’t surprise or raise eyebrows that, statistically, Fakhar is Pakistan’s best ODI opener since Saeed Anwar.

What does it mean to be Fakhar?

Fakhar means "Pride" in Urdu. Pakistani fans call him "Fakhar-e-Pakistan." His PSL franchise hails him as "Fakhar-e-Qalandars." The English-speaking audience often hesitates to pronounce his name. But whether you call him "Fakhar-e-Mardan," "Fakhar-e-Talagang," "Fakhar-e-Navy," or simply "Fouji," the essence remains the same—at his core, he is the "Fakhar of cricket," a name who was cherished in countless ways.

There are records, and then there are peak records—and Fakhar owns them all, especially in ODIs. But the value of a man cannot be measured in just runs and stats; he simply needs to be elite. His presence carries a weight that defies measurement, an aura that demands respect at every moment on the pitch.

To be Fakhar is to be more than a player—it’s to sacrifice for your team, to play with a passion that moves the stars themselves, to hold onto honesty as fiercely as to victory. You need to be an underdog, a miracle worker, a thwarter of expectations happily stagnating in a zone.

You just cannot replace these kinds of players. You simply cannot. When Fakhar is gone, his sudden departure will feel like a lightning bolt to the heart—but he will be remembered as someone like Saeed Anwar. The shouts of "Fakhar chalta hai to Pakistan palta hai" will not just be a mere myth.

The next two to three years could be the last phase—for Fakhar’s career. There is still something lacking. Apart from Fakhar being in cruise control in his pursuit of establishing a legacy, there remains a desire to go beyond, to untrap himself, to enjoy the game free of that subtle, underlying tension—the fear of not winning a trophy.

With the kind of form he possesses and the role he’s assigned, Pakistan can only hope he gets even better from here.

Note : (The article was originally published at https://thesportsside.com/the-goodman-fakhar-and-his-impactful-white-ball-career/ on 15th February 2025.

If there would be a global census or population survey of cricket fans in whole planet, the fraction of people who had witnessed Don Bradman play live would not be huge.

There are great stories and magical work of his being described by those fortunate enough to have seen him in action. The main highlight and defining feature of this unicorn was his exceptional ability to score bulk of runs with that astonishing average hardly dipping below perfection.

It’s just difficult to reconcile how a man can completely dominate an era so perfectly unless he’s had that angelic quality, which many would argue Bradman embodied.

Sachin Tendulkar was a fresh face for many of 1990s youth. From hitting a ton on a fast deck at the age of 17 to playing for nearly decades and retiring with an average above 50 – nothing but tributes for “The Master”.

There’s also batting geniuses like Sir Garfield Sobers, Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar, the Waugh brothers, Ricky Ponting and many more of legends are (too long of list to mention individually) who started as potential superstars and as their stocks rose further, as they became saviours of our sweet beloved game.

For the past two decades of cricket, there has been a true red-ball giant – Steve Smith.

He has maintained the legacy of red-ball batting in such a remarkable fashion.

Sure, there are batters who were equally awesome in similar periods, but Smudge remained the only one who became a legend of the game – starting from a dud.

Now, all of those previous big names mentioned have remarkable stories of evolution.

Smith, however, might have the most impressive evolution history – and a unique one too. In fact, everything about the top-order batter makes him a one-off.

In December 2009, and Smith was called into the Australian squad for the first time as cover for a sore Nathan Hauritz before a Test against the West Indies in Perth. It was announced that Hauritz would prove his fitness and play – but Smith would hang around the team for much of the next 18 months.

Selectors were adamant that Smith would blossom into a world-class leg-spinner if given adequate time and space – even Ponting himself mentioned that, “the view from the selectors was that he could be the next really bright, shining light as far as spin bowling was concerned”.

Once selected and spending time in the dressing room, it quickly became clear that Smith was, in fact, a batting all-rounder. However, due to a lack of other options, they were compelled to use him as a spinner.

It’s incredulously true and enough to stumble one that Steve Smith was once selected to play an Ashes Test on the basis of his joke-telling skills: “It’s about having energy in the field,” he famously said ahead of the Perth Test of 2010/11, “and having fun and making sure everyone else around is having fun, whether it be telling a joke or something like that.”

After playing five Test matches from 2010 to 2011 as a bowling all-rounder, Smith was recalled to the Australian Test team in 2013.

Smith’s stats before March 14, 2013 were 33 ODIs, 20 T20s, five Tests and two 50s – and just 643 days later, he was the captain of his country.

How incredibly unbelievable is that? Who would have thought the “crab” would become the king? It seemed distant, towering, impossible and unimaginable.

For a player who started as a leg-spinner when his team was looking for the next Shane Warne, and then transformed into such an incredible batter who once came closest to Bradman, and all against the odds — this is truly special.

If this was a Hollywood film script proposal, it’d have broken cinema records.

There are all sorts of comparisons flying around in cricket circles, on social media, and beyond – is Smith the best since Bradman? The best since Sachin? The best since World War II? And so on.

Some of these comparisons truly make sense, but a lot of codswallop is also there.

There’s nothing much that needs to be said about those comparisons, as everyone sees – and deserves to see with their own eyes. However, one thing is for sure: Smith is unique.

There might be better players than him, but there’s no one as idiosyncratic as him.

When it’s concluded that Smudge is pretty much unique, it’s not just about his career – it’s also perhaps more about his game and his style.

Smith perhaps does not possess that natural, gorgeous stroke-making that you associate with his brilliant peers like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, or Kane Williamson. He certainly is not as fun to watch as other modern greats such as Lara or Tendulkar.

But Smith has been the professor who knew what to do on the pitch and which delivery to attack. He does a lot of grunt work, but he just possesses this very ability – the ability to blow opposition bowlers out of the water, like a magician doing card tricks while simultaneously stealing the show.

Bowlers just remain shorn of enormous know-how while facing him.

Take that century in Pune in 2017. Every shot seemed to scream, “This might be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and it might be a rank turner — but we’re being hit by Steve Peter Devereux Smith”.

They acknowledged, “It’s not our fault because you’re dealing with a monster.”

Or like the Ashes 2019. There’s a phenomenon about it: Smith’s peak – 144, 142, 92, 211, 82, 80, and 23. That’s 774 runs, featuring three centuries and one double century at an average of 110.57.

He scored 35.5% of Australia’s runs off the bat when the team aggregated 2180 runs in the Ashes 2019.

Smith scored 774 runs, 333 ahead of Ben Stokes from England, the second-highest run-scorer of the series, and 421 more than Marnus Labuschagne, the second-highest run-scorer for Australia.

A small description of one of all-time series where he swallowed everything in his path – cranking up that pressure, Smith was irrepressible.

Oh, there’s nothing like the halo around peak Smith. Jofra Archer threw everything at him in that series, yet Smith didn’t get out to him. England were so frazzled by him in that series that, at one point, they were taking him out of the equation despite four wickets remaining.

At one stage in one match of that series, instead of taking the new ball, England used the old ball and bowled off-spin from both ends because Matthew Wade — who was already well set — had a bit of a weakness against it.

Australia had lost four wickets, and England were targeting Wade like he was a number 10.

It seemed like they were almost entirely uninterested in getting the wicket at the other end. They looked like twitchy balls of mess. Their hands looked pretty much tied as, at the other end, a wall was conspicuous. No matter how much time or effort you throw at it, the wall always wins.

Because Smith is unorthodox, England thought unorthodox tactics must be needed to get him out. This led to some bizarre fields and bowling ploys.

From virtually everyone on the off side, bowling wide of the stumps, to everyone on the leg side, bowling at the stumps, to most other variations in between. Whatever tactic – nothing seemed to work.

That’s peak Smith — one of the best players of fast bowling I’ve ever seen. Looking at the concept of pressure right in the eye and making a mockery of it, killing it with his unparalleled tranquility.

The million-dollar question though remains: What makes him so special? What truly is the reason for him being able to summon his inner nasty streak of doing magical stuff?

There’s something almost preternatural about his “feel” and triggers. I can’t describe it any other way. He can get into an awkward position, and just when it seems like the bowler has him, he’ll defend or flick the ball to the boundary. It’s not perfectly analogous to any other player.

If I were Smith, I’d occasionally think that I’m winning the battle already before I’ve faced a ball. When bowlers deliberately avoid the stumps most of the time, looking to apply unorthodox tactics, you’re taking most dismissals out of the equation. Bowlers would be bowling there like crash test dummies, while he’s receiving the prize.

The 35-year-old has such quicker footwork, something that looks like an Exocet missile. He moves so fast at times, it’s impossible for all, or any, of the adjustments to actually bother him.

It can’t be wrong to say that Smith is also one of the best problem solvers we have ever seen in cricket. His ability to work things out is what distances him from other good batters.

With his creative brain power, he picks things up quickly, whether it’s advice from others or tricks gleaned through bruising experience.

Frankly, making an astonishing comeback after facing the big lightning bolt to the heart by getting banned for ball tampering also falls into being mentally very strong.

Disparaged, denigrated, and criticised – but he had just controlled the command centre of his brain, shutting out the outside noise by merely focusing on the task at hand, and was able to summon deep mental reserves by considering the holy grail of self-improvement.

For example, after the Gabba knock this summer, Smith said that he had dabbled with his technique for about 15 years. He pretty much changes how he bats for every different game, depending on the surface.

Obsessed is probably an understatement when describing the relationship of Smith with cricket. A few years ago, a teammate of his suggested privately that it’s actually hard to talk with him about anything not cricket.

Some players fill their time watching movies, others playing FIFA – Steven Smith does it by training, talking, and preparing. Every time he sees free time, adrenaline will course through his veins as he prepares himself for a match as if he’s a prizefighter.

Even on one of his tours, when Ricky Ponting walked past Smith’s hotel room at 7am, he heard the tap-tap-tap of Smith’s bat hitting the floor. He even gets his wife to feed the bowling machine for him.

For a player who was not a batting prodigy and initially selected in the Australian team as a leg-spinning allrounder — and then scoring 10,000 Test runs and 35 tons with an average above 55 — Smith has enough credentials to claim that he’s the best Test batter since Sachin, Sobers, or whoever was last.

But him being totally dominant with his idiosyncratic play and being too damn good at it tells us that there’s only one Steve Smith, and there won’t be any like him.

He is in rare air.

Note (The article was originally published at the https://www.theroar.com.au on February 6,2025.

The iconic character of Maximus Decimus Meridius from the picture “Gladiator” unforgettably stands out as brutal and indomitable in his unforgiving world—the Roman Colosseum. No matter how many attempts were made, and the amount of effort was put forth to consider knocking him down, he thrived every single time. He was undefeated, unparalleled in his territory—as no one could imagine fading him there. With his unrelenting vengeance desire, he was earning praises from fellow gladiators.

Who could forget his iconic lines when he reveals his identity in some unmatched style:

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance—in this life or the next.”

Our very own, the best, say Pakistan’s new darling, Sajid Khan, is Maximus Decimus Meridius of the land of turning tracks. He is unbelievably good on these turning tracks. He seems to pocess an indomitable character which screams “You have to deal with me first if you’re considering any case of success here.” Most of his spells act as a big lightning bolt to the heart of the opposition—as he remains an unstoppable force on these surfaces.

This isn’t even an exaggeration that one should stumble upon—at least the incredible record of Sajid Khan is enough to compel anyone to agree with this. Not only has his recent form been outstanding, but his previous track record on any turning surfaces has been remarkably good—to make it clear that brilliance in his game is conspicuous.

Since the England series, we have been witnessing a different version of Pakistan Test cricket at home—as Pakistan seems to have found its mojo and everlasting success with the formula of making rank turners to mitigate the pain of losses they have been facing over the years. As we consider this, all other spinners, particularly Noman and Abrar, have been really good on these tracks, and it can’t be said in any way that they have picked up meat off the ribs. However, Sajid has been a real standout in this home season of Test cricket.

But it can’t really be said that this is just an occasional peak form of his that’s responsible for this magical performance, or whether he has cracked the code after a while. Sajid has been exceptional throughout—on every turning track he has graced.

Sajid’s special attributes with respect to turning tracks

The question that arises is: Why does Sajid stand out on these turning tracks? Well, he certainly has the credentials to claim that he’s the perfect spinner for such surfaces. First and foremost, his pace hovers around 90 kph, which is considered near perfect for these kinds of tracks.

Secondly, and perhaps the most crucial factor behind Sajid’s success, is his remarkable control during his spells. In this series, in particular, he has treated discipline as the holy grail of improvement—he focuses on being disciplined, and thus, eventually, wickets come his way as batters are forced to make errors.

In cricket, one of the most overlooked and underrated aspects of a bowler’s craft is that he doesn’t get enough credit for forcing batters to make mistakes. It’s easy to dismiss the bowler’s relentless discipline and consistency, but it’s precisely this unstoppable control that forces batters to crack under pressure.

As Sajid himself boldly stated during a press conference after the Test victory against the Windies: “Later in the day, I took wickets, but I also gave runs. Today, before the start of play, we committed to not conceding too many runs, no matter what. We provided absolute control, and eventually, batters made mistakes—and that worked in our favor.”

Even on some flat tracks during Pakistan’s previous tours, Sajid tried his best with his astute approach to avoid leading the sheep to the slaughterhouse—however, those pitches were heaven for batters, and bowlers’ hands were pretty much tied; hence, we haven’t seen much of Sajid.

The reason why you could call Sajid Khan Pakistan’s new darling is brought to you by his remarkable character in the ground. Arriving from bowling wickets, picking wickets mostly every time but especially at crunch times, and gracing the iconic celebration with a slap of a thigh and a twirl of his moustache, which made his eyes look bigger and scarier—which are well now the favorite part of many Pakistani fans.

Sajid has a remarkable attitude. He has just planted the commands right into his skull that he would keep trying hard. It’s the passion that shows—eyes full of anger and pride, and performance on the field.

Perhaps his iconic celebration has sparked quite a conversation, and he’s been asked multiple times about the distinctive style he brings to the field—In fact, a journalist once pointed out how his celebration bears a resemblance to the popular game of kabaddi, a well-loved sport in Pakistan. With his usual humility and natural charm, Sajid responded, saying:

“It just comes naturally. I like this style. Yes, I liked kabaddi too, so your point makes sense. But yes, I enjoyed it and performed this celebration everywhere I played—from school cricket to U13 and U16 in Peshawar.”

No matter how you look at it, Sajid Khan undeniably carries an element of vengeance within his personality—After the England series, when he was asked about his ferocious-looking face that seemed to unsettle English batters, Sajid, as always, responded with his characteristic wit and humility:

“Maine to kisi ko nahi daraya. Aap log kehte ho ki daraya hai. Allah ne look aisi di hai ki main hansta bhi hun to log darr jaate hain.” (I didn’t scare anyone, but you people keep saying this. God has given me such a look that even if I laugh, people get scared.)

Everyone seems to love Sajid’s celebration—he himself enjoys it too, and so do his teammates. After the first day of the Test, Sajid shared that if he were to take a five-wicket haul in the next innings, he’d want Babar and Rizwan to join in and perform his signature celebration. And sure enough, after his incredible performance, both Babar and Rizwan kept their word and performed the celebration with him.

Actually, Characters like Sajid truly elevate the entire team—he brings a unique, refreshing energy to the dressing room that spreads positivity and lifts everyone around him. From the very first day Sajid returned to the team, we have been witnessing him doing incredible stuff and the audience loving it. Long may it continue.

The next World Test Championship cycle is shaping up to be exciting and more favorable for Pakistan, with the majority of their fixtures scheduled at home—

The future always remains uncertain—and there are no guarantees in cricket—but everyone believes in the supremacy of the gladiator of these tracks. He should welcome every foreign team in his very special style.

Note (The article wasoriginally published on January 22, 2025 on https://thesportsside.com/sajid-khan-the-gladiator-of-turning-tracks/

The wicketkeeping position is considered one of the most significant and demanding roles in cricket. Yet, it’s often described as not being for everyone, given how highly challenging it is.

There’s a solid reason why it’s considered the toughest job in cricket—not merely because it involves stopping byes or catching edges behind the stumps, but because it’s a true form of art. This art demands incredible focus and lightning-fast reflexes. From quickly mastering the game's fundamentals to making split-second decisions, the wicketkeeper often ends the day feeling battered and bruised. Despite this, the wicketkeeper remains one of the most crucial players on the team.

The weight of responsibility transforms into something far greater when a wicketkeeper steps into the shoes of a captain.

Now, they must be more involved in decision-making than ever before. From DRS reviews to field placements and boosting players' confidence, wicketkeepers shoulder a deeply integral role that goes beyond their usual responsibilities.

But the question arises: Are wicketkeepers truly proven leaders? Well, we've witnessed some remarkable wicketkeeper-captains worldwide who not only elevated the game but also reshaped how the world perceives it. From the phenomenal Andy Flower leading Zimbabwe to the epitome of composure, to Kumar Sangakkara displaying exceptional leadership qualities, cricket has seen elite wicketkeepers who thrived as leaders. From AB de Villiers' 360-degree decision-making on the field to Jos Buttler's white-ball wizardry, and who could forget MS Dhoni, aka Captain Cool, who built a legacy of extraordinary leadership by bringing glory to India on multiple occasions.

When considering Pakistan cricket, it is evident that Pakistani wicketkeepers have had a strong connection with leading the side. From Imtiaz Ahmad to Wasim Bari, and from Moin Khan to Sarfaraz Ahmed, several of these wicketkeeper-players have ended up captaining the Pakistani side, with a few of them achieving wonderful results.

Imtiaz Ahmad was the first wicketkeeper to ever have the honor of captaining the side. He captained Pakistan in just four matches, but the tradition of wicketkeepers leading the team started here. From there, the mantle passed through the hands of Wasim Bari and Majid Khan, the art of wicketkeepers leading the team became a tradition—who shaped the course of Pakistan cricket over the years.

But Pakistan's golden age of wicketkeepers excelling in the art of leadership began with Moin Khan's captaincy. He was a smart and effective leader. Under his watch, Pakistan played 13 Tests—securing victory in 4, tasting defeat in 2, and settling for draws in 7. In ODIs, his leadership sparkled, with 20 wins out of 34 matches.

Following Moin, Rashid Latif stepped in, carrying forward the legacy of brilliance. Known for his grit and tactical mind, Rashid led Pakistan in 6 Test matches, winning 4, losing just 1, and drawing 1. In 25 ODIs under his captaincy, Pakistan triumphed in 13 and narrowly lost 12.

Since the removal of Rashid Latif, Pakistan struggled to entrust a wicketkeeper with the responsibility of leading the side for nearly a decade. It wasn’t until the departure of one of Pakistan’s most successful captains, Misbah-ul-Haq, that the mantle was passed to another wicketkeeper—Sarfraz Ahmed.

Pakistan’s last trophy win was in 2017 under Sarfraz’s captaincy, which provided significant relief and boosted his image as a leader. Even though Sarfraz had a good run as a captain in terms of consistency, it was the trophy win that truly elevated his standing. Overall, under Sarfraz’s captaincy, Pakistan won 61 out of 100 matches with a win percentage of 61. With T20s being his strongest suit—he led the team to victory in 29 out of 37 matches, even bagging a record 11 consecutive T20I series wins.

Sarfraz’s removal from the side in 2019 quietly closed another door for wicketkeepers to lead the team for years to come. Yet, in the midst of this transition, Pakistan’s premier batter and first-choice wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan, emerged as a beacon of potential. He was considered a potential future captain and consistently showcased his leadership skills in domestic cricket and the PSL.

It’s safe to say that Rizwan was one of the most deserving players to take on the captaincy. He had the best winning percentage in the PSL and led his team to the finals four times straight, even securing a trophy once. Honestly, it was just a matter of time before Pakistan decided to hand him the captaincy.

But the question remains –would Rizwan prove to be the great captain he seems destined to be? Could he truly rise to the challenge? His track record in domestic cricket and the PSL suggests he has the potential to defy expectations. With a couple of domestic tournament victories under his belt, the signs are promising.

Rizwan’s journey as captain has started off with promise. Even though T20 results haven’t been as impressive, in ODIs, he seems to have broken free from the shackles. He led his side to victories in ODI series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, showing signs of a leader who can take charge when it matters most.

The most impressive thing about Rizwan as leader of side is his remarkable character, sharp field placements, and smart decision-making. He confidently entrusts part-timers with key roles, encourages his players, and consistently gives his best. Will he continue the great legacy of Pakistan's wicketkeepers, changing the art of wicketkeeping? Only time will tell.

Note (The article was originally published at https://www.oyeyeah.com/sports/how-pakistans-wicket-keepers-have-shaped-cricket-captaincy/ on January 14, 2025.

“There should be a meeting of top-class batters, data analysts, and technical experts. Quite unsure how it’ll go, but the agenda of the meeting should be how to play Jasprit Bumrah.”

That’s a big statement right there above, but this is what I’ve posted on my social media right after the WC 24 final. A tournament which has given us everything — from varied conditions to close contests, and from randomness in results to unpredictability in every phase. All of these unpredictable, unusual elements were so consistent that they made this WC so unique from the previous tournaments.

But one thing that deserves a fine touch to be bestowed is the incredible mastery of an artist, amazing adaptability from a tactical genius, remarkability in every aspect from a unicorn. All in all, this WC, in other words, was the theatrical show of Bumrah.

Nah, I’m not exaggerating anything here. This guy, with his charming beard and uniquely beautiful action, has not only delivered one of the greatest performances in WC history but also left a lot of content to heat up the debate that this was just another great show from the currently best all-format bowler and where he stands in history now. You see, his numbers of Runs Conceded: 372; Wickets: 26; Average: 14.31; 4 Wickets in an Innings: 0; Best: 3/7 are as impressive as it gets. POTT award was obviously owned by him in every single aspect.

Even though the wickets tally is impressive, this economy just paints crazy stuff. I mean, it gets even more inhuman to look when you consider that Jasprit Bumrah’s economy rate of 4.17 at this World Cup is the best for anyone who has bowled 100-plus balls in a single edition of the men’s T20 World Cup. The most Bumrah conceded in the eight matches he played was 29 runs against Australia. Jeez, these are some numbers.

Not only this overall incredible economy rate, but it’s even more impressive if you take a look at Bumrah’s wagon wheel. In nearly 30 overs, only 12 boundaries were properly off the bat, and even 5 of them were edges. So, the key thing to notice here is Bumrah’s exceptional control over length. I mean, just look: there are no boundaries straight down the ground and only two in front of square. This means he almost never overpitched! Amazing control.

I mean it’s quite amazing when you think that post-injury Bumrah has just looked in a different touch. He had adapted a unique identity of his. He’s like Bruce Wayne, a millionaire who seems as generous off business. But when he’s bowling, he wearing the persona of Batman to clean whatever comes in his way. He really is walking on water.

These aren’t empty words. At least the numbers would back me here. Yeah, you know how phenomenal he’s been post-injury. A different piece might explain it, but here I’m considering a small narration.

▪️In a brief T20I series, he outshone all other Indian and Irish pacers.

▪️During the ODI season and World Cup, only one bowler matched or surpassed his excellence. I would say it was Shami!

▪️In the Test series in South Africa, he was on par with Rabada in challenging SENA conditions. Being this good there with same style

▪️In the Test series in India, he was unparalleled among pacers, with only legendary spinners coming close in conditions tailored for their craft. He was major difference.

▪️To top it off, he had an incredible IPL season, standing out in the most explosive T20 season ever.

▪️Ah, how come there is anything better than winning your country an ICC trophy? He obviously was living on the moon.

Not small words could do justice, but generously saying, this level of dominance is similar to that of AB de Villiers' 2015 heroics, where he conquered Tests in SENA, Asia, and then had a great IPL. Bumrah has truly mastered all formats and conditions. Superb!

We’ve talked enough about T20s, but ODIs and Tests are obviously a big deal. If this guy’s Test career could explain anything, it would be how he has mastered every condition. I get this; that’s beyond good.

That’s quite exceptional that only two fast bowlers (Sydney Barnes and Alan Davidson) have more Test wickets with a better bowling average than Bumrah.

But why is this guy getting more impressive every day? What’s so special about him? Why is he so terrifying to face? I don’t know how I would explain it, but I could say he is a rare example of exceptional skills paired with tactical genius. Two key things here, which are interconnected: incredible skills and tactical brilliance. He’s like a data analyst of his own incredible bowling prowess.

What’s so great about his skills, though? Firstly, consider his hyperextension in his action—it makes batters nervous just thinking about it. His release point seems higher, so his 135 km/h short ball feels more like 145 km/h, and a 140 km/h delivery seems closer to 150 km/h. I mean, look at Bumrah; he always gets away with a full toss. His hyperextension and high release point intimidate batters.

And then there’s his wrist action to consider. His action became quite streamlined than what it was back then

Than you consider that he has every trick in his bag. Seam, bounce, nip, HTD, you order it.

But my favorite thing about him is his incredible adaptability and tactical genius. The man can morph into almost anything—be it a spinner, a swing bowler, a hard-to-dismiss (HTD) bowler, a seam bowler, or even a master of dipping slower balls.

But as I mentioned, he’s like a data analyst of himself. I mean, he reads the pitch and conditions even before he bowls. He analyzes which weapon will work best and how to use it to maximum effect.

Ths is just a small example of bumrah’s incredible adaptability. Bumrah bowled a yorker every 5.86 balls in this IPL, but in the New York leg of this, it was every 22 balls. So He knows exactly what the conditions demand, the best weapon to use, and how to unlock his full potential.

Words would fall short, and paragraphs won’t last. The incredibility of Bumrah won’t be expressed justly. What’s safe to say is that this generation is lucky to witness the greatness of this guy.

Thanks for reading).

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands out as one of the most popular and profitable T20 tournaments globally. But it’s more than just a commercial success; alongside thrilling matches and entertainment, it also provides a fantastic platform to assess player talent and gauge their value in the market.

Just like any other T20 league around the world, one of the main objectives of the IPL is to spot emerging young talent, those hidden gems, those future stars who could light up the national team someday. It’s where dreams take shape, where young players get to showcase their skills and reveal to the world what they’re made of.

As with every IPL season, this one too witnessed emerging young players seizing their opportunities and carving out a name for themselves. Here are some standout young players from IPL 2024 who really caught the eye and left a lasting impression.

1. Jake Fraser-McGurk

You don’t often see a young gun burst onto the IPL scene and earns great impression as quickly as Jake Fraser-McGurk did this year.

His backstory leading up to the IPL is pretty incredible. Snatched up by the Delhi Capitals as a replacement player, Fraser-McGurk’s talent caught the eye of coach Ricky Ponting, who boldly suggested he could be the "next David Warner" and shine for Australia in all formats.

And I reckon he definitely lived up to Ponting’s prediction with a stellar showing throughout the IPL season.In his debut IPL season, Jake Fraser-McGurk delivered one of the most extraordinary performances ever seen. His 330 runs at the top of the order came at a staggering strike-rate of 234.04, the highest in the tournament for any player facing at least 140 deliveries.

Across nine matches, he smashed four fifties, two of which were achieved in just 15 balls each, making him the first player in IPL history to achieve such a feat.

His debut innings was marked by three consecutive sixes off Krunal Pandya, setting the stage for his remarkable run. Against Hyderabad, he faced a lineup of bowlers with international experience, including Pat Cummins, whom he dispatched for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries during his blistering 18-ball 65.

Not stopping there, Fraser-McGurk's audacity continued against Mumbai, where he wasted no time in launching sixes off the first balls he faced from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Piyush Chawla. His explosive innings of 84 off just 27 deliveries solidified his status as one of the standout performers of the season.

You don’t need to look further than his strike rate over 200 against all bowling types this season to gauge Jake Fraser-McGurk’s incredible form.

But beyond the numbers, his batting style epitomizes the modern T20 player. With his unique bat-up technique and high bat-lift, he’s a master at handling deliveries pitched back of a length. Give him even the smallest opportunity to unleash his shots, and he’s unstoppable. Whether he’s taking on pacers with his cuts and punches or lofting off-spinners fearlessly, Fraser-McGurk has showcased his versatility and skill throughout the season. It’s truly been a delight to witness him excel in every facet of the game.

2.Riyan parag

If you're looking for inspiration in life transformations, Riyan Parag's IPL journey is a prime example. Back in IPL 2023, things didn't go as planned for him. Despite Rajasthan Royals investing INR 3.8 crore in him, he only managed 78 runs in seven innings, with an average of 13 and a strike rate of 118.18. But fast forward to IPL 2024, and Parag completely flipped the script.

He emerged as the top run-scorer for his team and third overall in the tournament. With 573 runs in 14 innings at an impressive average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21, including four fifties, he surpassed all expectations. Throughout the first half of the season, he was right up there vying for the Orange Cap.

Parag’s maturity and temperament shone through this season, especially in his role at number 4. His ability to build innings and deliver under pressure was commendable. It’s been quite the transformational journey for him, and it’s been a joy to witness.

3. Shashank singh

The saga of Punjab Kings selecting Shashank has a touch of drama to it. Snapped up at his base price of Rs 20 lakh during the Dubai auction in December, there was a moment of panic when the team feared they had made a misstep. This was due to another cricketer with the same name, causing some confusion. Fortunately, Punjab Kings clarified the situation, reassuring everyone that they had indeed chosen the right Shashank.

But I would say, regardless of which Shashank they originally had in mind, they ended up with the Shashank they truly needed—a player who surpassed all expectations. Standing out as their star performer, Shashank wrapped up the season as Punjab Kings' leading run-scorer, tallying an impressive 354 runs in 14 games, with a striking rate of 164.65.

This all-rounder really grabbed everyone's attention! Imagine rescuing his team from 70-4 while chasing 200 runs with a smashing 29-ball 61 not out. And that wasn't all—he followed it up with an unbeaten 46. But the real star moment? His stunning 69 not out off just 28 balls in a record 262-run chase against KKR, which was simply unforgettable.

If you take a closer look at his batting style, Shashank has a knack for picking the right balls to score off, rather than swinging at everything randomly. He loves back-of-length deliveries that sit up nicely for him. There’s a method to his batting that sets him apart from the usual sloggers. The best thing about Shashank is how he stays on the back foot, allowing him to hit short of a good length deliveries banged into the pitch for sixes.

4.Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma had an absolute blockbuster season, undoubtedly his finest yet. He achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first batter to amass 400 runs in a T20 league without facing 30 balls in any of his innings. In total, he racked up an impressive 484 runs at an average of 32.26, boasting a staggering strike rate of 204.21. His 42 sixes stood out as the highest this season, setting a record for an Indian batter in any IPL season.

Notably, Abhishek etched his name in IPL history by smashing the fastest fifty for Sunrisers, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. This incredible feat came as Sunrisers piled on their highest-ever total in IPL history, a monumental 277 runs, against Mumbai Indians.

Isn't Abhishek Sharma just a joy to watch? His movements are so smooth, and those lightning-fast hands and wrists as he goes for the ball deserve a round of applause. He just hammers spinners like it's nobody's business. His style even resembles that of Yuvraj Singh!

Sure, everyone talks about his incredible 400+ run season in 2022, but this season was the best anyone has seen him hit the ball, especially his play on the leg side. I've never seen him time the ball better than in this IPL season.

5.Abhishek porel

Abhishek Porel burst onto the scene as an Impact Sub at No. 9 in DC’s first match, smashing an unbeaten 32 off just ten balls. Since then, the 21-year-old has been a regular in the DC lineup, proving his worth match after match. Porel scored a total of 327 runs in 12 innings at an average of 32.70 and a strike rate of 159.51, making him Delhi’s fourth-highest run-getter.

And talk about finishing strong—he wrapped up the season with two fifties in his last three matches: 65 off 36 balls against Rajasthan Royals and 58 off 33 balls against Lucknow Super Giants.

Abhishek Porel is definitely a cricketer to watch out for. He’s evolved into a proper pinch hitter, significantly improving his big-hitting game. It’s remarkable how much he’s grown from last year—he always had the intent, but now he’s executing those big shots with precision. And let’s not overlook his skills behind the stumps—he’s been lively and promising, delivering exactly as expected.

6. Nitish Kumar reddy:

You know, we've got to talk about the emerging player of the tournament, Nitish Kumar Reddy from SRH. He was simply outstanding! Reddy racked up 303 runs in just 11 innings, averaging 33.66 with a striking rate of 142.92.

Remember that nerve-wracking game against PBKS? He smashed a crucial 64 off 37 balls, helping SRH clinch a nail-biting two-run victory. And of course, who can forget his stellar performance against RR at home, where he played a major role in SRH's one-run win, scoring an unbeaten 76 off just 42 balls in the first innings?

But it's not just his batting that impressed—he also chipped in with three wickets using his medium pace. Plus, his skills in the outfield were top-notch, earning praise from everyone around.

Nitish is definitely one to watch out for—a promising all-rounder with skills that shine both with the bat and potentially with the ball. His batting technique is solid; he’s got a knack for picking the right length of the delivery. With some nurturing, he could very well evolve into a valuable pace-bowling all-rounder option for India.

7.Harshit Rana

Among the new faces this season, Harshit really caught the eye. Finishing as KKR's joint-second-highest wicket-taker and joint-fourth overall, he made quite an impact. Out of his 19 wickets, four came in the powerplay, nine in the middle overs, and six at the death.

But it was his performance in the final that sealed the deal for KKR. His 2 for 24 played a key role in their third IPL title win. And of course who could forget that crucial over when he defended seven runs off five balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on a flat Eden Gardens pitch.

Harshit is really something special—he can bowl at speeds over 140, and he’s great at hitting the deck hard. He’s also got the slower short ones down pat and knows how to work the angles to his advantage.

What makes him even more impressive is his ability to extract seam movement and maintain good pace. Plus, Harshit’s got a clear head on his shoulders, which really shows in his game. Simply put, he's in a great place right now and seems poised for even bigger things.

8. Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav is hands down my favorite pick of the bunch. Despite only playing four games due to an injury sidelining him for most of the season, he made a huge impact. He was named Player of the Match in his first two IPL matches against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he took 3-27 and 3-14, respectively.

What really lit up IPL 2024 was Mayank's thunderbolt deliveries, reaching speeds of 155 kmph! In his debut match against Punjab, out of the 24 balls he bowled, a staggering 18 touched the 145 kmph barrier. Now that's some serious pace!

Mayank Yadav is truly gifted. He has a natural ability to generate bounce, hitting the deck hard with every delivery. What’s impressive is his release from a higher angle, allowing him to extract movement even at his pace. This combination of bounce and movement makes him a real asset on the field. With the right grooming, he has the potential to be an even bigger asset in the future. It’s truly heartening to see such talent in action.

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In cricket, captaincy is often hailed as the cornerstone of success. But what does it really entail? What defines it, and what lies at its core?

Among multitude of definitions I’ve encountered, I must admit, none seem to encapsulate its essence entirely–though I’d describe it as the art of strategy, motivation, and leadership rolled into one. From pivotal decisions on the field to igniting the fire within players, a captain’s influence can sway the fate of a match.
You could simply put it as the captain shoulders the responsibility for the entire on-field spectacle orchestrated by their team

We’ve seen some cricket captains who not only changed the game’s glory but also reshaped how the world sees it. The 1975 World Cup kicked off the evolution of captaincy, with legends like Clive Lloyd and Imran Khan leading the charge in 1992. Ricky Ponting’s back-to-back World Cup wins in 2003 and 2007 really drove this home. Then there’s Dhoni, aka 'Captain Cool,' showing incredible adaptability, and Sammy, whose inspiring leadership brought the West Indies T20 World Cup glory twice. And who could forget Arjuna Ranatunga, who steered Sri Lanka to their first-ever World Cup victory in 1996.

When it comes to Pakistan cricket, captaincy is always a hot topic, and it's no wonder why: Imran Khan's leadership set the bar high, inspiring generations and clinching Pakistan's only ODI World Cup win. But the story doesn't end there. From Younis Khan's historic T20 World Cup triumph to Misbah-ul-Haq's composed demeanor in test cricket and Sarfraz Ahmed's leadership in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan's captaincy has seen its fair share of ups and downs, shaping the nation's cricketing culture along the way.

What would your perspective be if you were asked about the criteria for assessing whether someone is a top-notch captain? I can’t speak definitively on that, but generally speaking, when it comes to evaluating captaincy, various factors come into consideration; notably, the consistency in team performance, the tally of trophies won or lost, and the captain’s personal performance as a player.

But I must say, it saying having a trophy on a captain's CV certainly enhances their reputation as a leader, atleast in the eyes of the public.

Pakistan’s last trophy win was in 2017 under Sarfraz’s captaincy, which provided significant relief and boosted his image as a leader. Even though Sarfraz had a good run as a captain in terms of consistency, it was the trophy win that truly elevated his standing. Overall, under Sarfraz’s captaincy, Pakistan won 61 out of 100 matches with a win percentage of 61. With T20s being his strongest suit—he led the team to victory in 29 out of 37 matches, even bagging a record 11 consecutive T20I series wins.

Things looked decent for Sarfraz until 2019 where the team's performance started taking a downhill turn. He couldn't quite make an impression in that year with only 8 wins out of 21 matches. The ODI World Cup was a defining event for his captaincy. Unfortunately, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals, mainly due to their low run rate despite winning 5 matches. And Sarfraz's own batting didn't quite measure up either—he struggled to make an impact, scoring only 164 runs at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 87. So yeah, while captaincy was part of the issue, Sarfraz's own performance as a batsman didn't help his case either.

Sarfraz's removal as captain was always on the cards during WC19. Now, the next big task was deciding whom to appoint next. You see, there are typically two factors considered in the cricketing world when appointing a captain: a) someone who is tactically astute and experienced in captaincy, or b) the team's best performer who leads from the front.

In the first category, Pakistan had a few options: Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Imad Wasim. Hafeez and Malik were already not interested in playing ODI cricket, and since they were around 38 years old, PCB didn't show much interest in them. Only Imad was making a case in this category, but he wasn't always necessarily going to be part of the playing XI, and he wasn't playing Test cricket, so PCB didn't consider him.

On 18 October 2019, PCB appointed Babar Azam as captain of the T20 team and Azhar Ali as Test captain.

The selection of Azhar Ali was pretty much on the cards, considering his seniority in Pakistan's Test side and his previous stint as captain in ODIs.

But I guess it wouldn't be wrong to say that Babar's appointment as T20 captain was primarily due to the fact that he was the best batter of the team at that time. Of course, a stellar year and a standout CWC19 season supported this narrative more.

This is to be said because Babar didn’t exactly have loads of experience leading teams, be it domestically or internationally. Sure, the PCB might have spotted some leadership potential in him, but the undeniable truth is that he lacked captaincy experience. I think the only captaincy gig he had before this was with the Pakistan U19 squad, if memory serves me right.

Babar kicked off his captaincy journey leading the T20I side. His first assignment was against Australia in a three-match T20 series, where, as a captain, he didn't quite hit the mark, though he had a good series as a batter.

Then, on May 13, 2020, Babar was handed the captaincy of the ODI team. And just a few months later, on November 10, 2020, PCB entrusted him with the role of test captain, taking over from Azhar Ali.

Why did Azhar get the boot after just a year? Well, Azhar’s tenure as captain wasn’t exactly stellar; Pakistan only managed to win 2 out of 9 matches under his leadership, resulting in a win percentage of 30. He had to navigate through some tough tours of Australia and England, all while dealing with a completely revamped pace attack, as both Amir and Wahab Riaz bid farewell to red-ball cricket during his stint.

Again, just as I mentioned earlier, Babar was preferred as he was having a great run in test cricket. Under Azhar's captaincy, Babar racked up an impressive 916 runs in 9 test matches, averaging 83. And his success in white-ball cricket as captain added even more spice to the mix.

Babar's tenure as Test captain began with a two-match series against NZ, but unfortunately, he couldn't play due to injury. However, this marked the start of his journey as captain across all formats, which lasted almost three years until the end of the ODI World Cup 2023. It was an interesting era for Pakistan cricket and deserves a deeper look.

Under Babar's captaincy, Pakistan played 20 test matches, winning 10, losing 6, and drawing 4, with a win percentage of 50. Surprisingly, 8 of these wins came away from home, while home series didn't fare well, with only 2 wins out of 10 matches, both against South Africa.

T20 cricket proved to be the best format for Babar as captain, with 42 wins out of 72 matches under his leadership, boasting a win percentage of around 60. He even set the record for the most wins as a T20I skipper for Pakistan, leading the team to the semifinals in the 2021 and the final in the 2022 World Cups.

In ODI cricket, Babar's record looked pretty decent, with 26 wins out of 43 matches. But it was the World Cup tournament in this format that seemed defining for his captaincy.

There was a ton of talk about how Babar had the complete backing of management and the selection committee to put together the squad he wanted for the World Cup. It sort of hinted that the PCB viewed this tournament as a defining event for his captaincy career.

But then, in the middle of the tournament, things took a turn when a journalist leaked screenshots of Babar’s personal WhatsApp chats.

It somehow prompted the PCB to release a statement emphasizing the importance of player support and reaffirming that Babar had the complete backing in picking the squad for the WC.

Unfortunately, things didn't unfold as expected. Pakistan was eliminated from the tournament after losing 6 out of 10 matches, failing to qualify. Babar's own performance as a batter was also not entirely satisfying. He scored 320 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 93, which is decent, but you'd expect more from a player of his caliber. There were some shaky shot commitments, indicating that he might have had a lot going on mentally.

Many opinions surfaced that captaincy was indeed affecting Babar's batting performances. So, do the numbers support this claim? During his captaincy tenure, Babar had an average of 50 in Test cricket and an average of 60 in ODIs, which is impressive. However, his T20I average of 37 with a strike rate of 129 is a bit downhill.

One notable thing is his performance in ICC events during his captaincy tenure, which wasn't exceptional. Apart from the World Cup 2021, where he averaged 60 with a strike rate of 126, he didn't perform well in other tournaments. In the World Cup 2022, he averaged 17 with a strike rate of 93, and in the Asia Cup 2022, he averaged 11 with a strike rate of 107. In the Asia Cup 2023, excluding Nepal, he averaged 18, and in the ODI World Cup 2023, he averaged 40 with a strike rate of 83.

Why does this happen to a top player? There's no exact answer. It could be just a rough patch on the big stage, but the influence of captaincy could also be a factor.

Post WC 2023, there were rumors swirling around that PCB was mulling over removing Babar from the captaincy. Then, on November 15, 2023, Babar himself took to social media to announce his resignation from the captaincy, which seemed like it was on the horizon.

Now, post-World Cup, the decision of who to appoint as the next captain is a big one. Once again, we would consider the same criteria we discussed earlier. The top candidates for limited-overs cricket were Rizwan, Shaheen, and Shadab. Rizwan boasted a strong CV, with a terrific record in PSL and domestic tournaments, along with being a solid performer on the field. Shaheen also seemed eligible, having captained Lahore Qalandars in two consecutive PSL seasons, leading them to their only two victories ever. Eventually, the PCB appointed Shaheen Afridi as the captain of T20Is and Shan for Tests. Shan’s experience in captaining domestic matches and county cricket also played a significant role in his appointment.

Though One of the issues with appointing Shaheen as captain was managing his workload. He had suffered an injury in 2022, and since his debut, he had shouldered a heavy workload. He obviously is still a top class T20 bowler.

Shaheen’s first assignment as captain was a five-match T20 series against NZ away, which didn’t yield impressive results, ending in a 4-1 loss. However, it was a good series for him as a bowler. This is quite unnoticed though but he was second-highest wicket-taker and the most impactful player from Pakistan’s side.

After this series, the PSL began, and it turned out to be a disappointing season for Shaheen as captain after two incredible seasons. On the other hand, Rizwan, Shadab, and Babar really shone as captains during the tournament. Shadab led his team to another title victory, Rizwan steered his team to the fourth final in a row, and Babar also held his own, taking his team to the qualifier.

Now, the issue that really sparked the debate occurred on March 24, 2024, when PCB reappointed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain. This decision raised a lot of questions and left many uncertainties lingering in the air.

Firstly, sacking a captain after just one series does seem ridiculous. Has that ever happened before? It suggests there’s really no backing there. If you weren’t going to support him, you shouldn’t have appointed him in the first place. Now, he needs backing. It’s not just about the individuals; it’s about the dangerous precedent of changing captains after just one series.

Reappointing Babar again? I mean this would raises questions. It means either PCB is admitting they were wrong then, or they’re wrong now. I wonder what changed so quickly? Just one PSL season? That doesn’t quite fit the criteria. Babar’s track record as a PSL captain isn’t exactly stellar. Sure, this was his best season, but he’s never been a standout PSL captain. He actually has the second-lowest winning percentage in PSL history, and that says a lot.

PSL is obviously one of the top-quality T20 tournaments, and captaining the sides here actually showcases the qualities of a leader. But if only one season is enough to judge someone, then there should be a whole thesis on why Rizwan is not considered for captaincy. Picture this: he has the best winning percentage in the tournament and led his team to the finals four straight times. Though I guess there could only be two reasons for not considering him as captain: either he’s not keen on it himself, or there might be a chance that selectors consider he does not necessarily deserve a permanent place in the T20 team.

So, PCB mentioned in its statement that they want to manage Shaheen’s workload. It sounds like a smart move if workload is the main reason behind his removal. But , looking at Pakistan’s fixtures this year, they won’t be playing longer formats of cricket until the World Cup. So, keeping Shaheen until the World Cup could have been a good shout if they had thought about it.

Plus, Shaheen also had a heavy workload in the past, even when he wasn’t captaining the side. So, we’ll have to wait and see whether PCB keeps up their promise.

The best thing about Babar as captain is that he always tries to foster unity within the team. He’s all about avoiding controversies and keeping the focus on the game. Plus, he has the experience of leading the team in two T20 World Cups, even taking them to the semifinals or final. T20 cricket seems to be his forte as captain, judging by the numbers.

But here the selection of Babar again as captain seemed to have stirred up some negative vibes, according to reports. Shaheen was reportedly unhappy with the statement released by PCB without his permission. However, it seems like this matter was later settled.

Asserting my personal take, I would say captaincy is perhaps one of the most important and crucial positions in cricket. Merit should definitely be considered when making appointments, and once appointed, the captain should be fully backed. It’s those stupid decisions that often lead to grouping and controversies among players, something Pakistan has unfortunately dealt with in the past. Hopefully, PCB learns from these lessons.

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