Nationwide uniform pitches can promote cricket in Pakistan

An aspect of the game that can have a profound effect on cricket in Pakistan is the uniform result-oriented nature of the pitches, not only at major Test centres like Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi, but also in all areas that stage 1st Class or other grades of cricket matches. And it is time to recognise this as affecting our raw and even polished talent, and do something about it.

One factor that contributes to Pakistan's below par performance overseas, and at times at home, is the absence of such result-oriented pitches where Pakistani batsmen and bowlers learn and play their cricket.

One need not go down memory lane to take sustenance from the fact that our batsmen and bowlers fail to come to terms with pitches in Australia, and even West Indies. The results of the just concluded Down-Under Series against Australia, are one vivid endorsement of our players' inability to cope with the bounce and turn on the unfamiliar pitches. And the fact that local batsmen score freely against our reputed quickies and spinners, is another proof that our bowlers also lack the finesse to take advantage of such sporting pitches. This so happens because in Pakistan, generally we have poor pitches, mostly under-prepared, and usually turning pitches.

One is not advocating pitches knee deep in grass, yet one certainly is against those batting strips that take spin early in the match, or are of no help to the toiling bowlers at all. Conceded that some groundsmen are more skilled than others; conceded that vagaries of nature also affect preparations and one is also willing to concede that different soils also result in different surfaces at places. But this in no way restricts one's endeavours to provide pitches that are predictable and uniform in behaviour. More so in Pakistan, where we have a national groundsman, instructed to provide pitches per wishes. But, alas!

Inspite of having a national groundsman, we usually have pitches deliberately prepared, or under prepared. This happens due to two main reasons; one, powers-that-be in Pakistan cricket, want to play on strips that atleast ensure a drawn series, the win a bonus; and two, our groundsmen and those administrating control and authority, are not abreast of what constitutes a good pitch.

If one goes through the TCCB Pitches Committee suggestions, this is what should be adhered to. At the commencement of the match, the pitch should be completely DRY, FIRM and TRUE, providing even BOUNCE throughout the match. This means that given trouble free weather, a pitch, or batting strip, should be fresh at the start, encouraging pace bowlers while being consistent enough not to discourage the batsman. This also means that as the match progresses, due to natural wear and tear, it should allow the spinners to play an increasingly prominent role. There should be an even, but no excessive covering of grass and it should be ready atleast a day or two before the start of the match.

If one goes through the records of the matches played at major Test centres, one may find that at certain places, the preparation, more or less, comes near about this requirement. But then on such strips the 'nationally selected' with experience and exposure play. But come a time when a newcomer makes the national grade due to his domestic performance on batting pitches, he succumbs to the testing and demanding nature of these Test pitches. This not only affects the performances of the debutantes, but also puts a question mark on the individual performances that get recorded on different pitches all over Pakistan.

Pakistan these days reflect a number of 1st Class centres, each with a different nature and wherever an association or department controls The Management, it is prepared to suit their bowling strength. The result; lopsided results get recorded and as unwarranted individual performances with the bat and bowl take place. And when given an opportunity to play on standard pitches, the in-form batsmen and the line and length bowlers find themselves at sea on these pitches. Take for example, the strips at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and National Stadium, Karachi. Both are so different in nature that batsmen and bowlers find it difficult to maintain an appreciable equilibrium in performances at the two centres. Rawalpindi and Peshawar, likewise, are different in nature, as are the Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot pitches. But these International centres aside, it is the nature of the strips at 1st Class centres that is a matter of concern. Multan, Sahiwal, Hyderabad, Thatta, Bahawalpur and Sukkur, all host 1st Class matches, as does KRL Ground in Rawalpindi and the UBL, Customs and Defense Club. Each has its own features, with variable bounce, at times batsmen friendly, other times assisting even the least penetrative bowler to go through the defenses of the best batsmen. Such performances boost up one's performances, which flattering on paper, do not equate with the potential of the individual.

One is willing to go along with 'variable' pitches, yet one feels that since some of the aspirants make it to the national squad, need of the hour is to adhere to the TCCB Pitches Committees recommendations. If PCB and other administrators keep this in mind, not only our potentially explosive raw talent will get a uniform exposure at home, but will also prepare our chosen team to tackle those demanding pitches overseas.