Country first

The Pakistan cricket team’s lack of genuinely talented pace bowlers was acutely felt during the first innings of our ongoing test match with Australia. Our lack of pace enabled Australia to accumulate a huge total of 487 runs. The absence of good seamers also played a big role in our poor performances in this year’s Asia Cup and Cricket World Cup, breaking the hearts of our fans. The only genuine fast bowler in our squad, Naseem Shah, is injured and if he stays that way it will be a huge setback for our team.

Fast bowling is arguably the most physically exerting aspect of cricket. The national team schedule is gruelling enough for a pacer and now fast bowlers play almost year-round in leagues and tournaments throughout the world. This has, in my opinion, had a negative impact on their performances for the national team, in the case of Pakistan. Earning money may be the right of a player but not at the cost of national pride. There is no doubt that the Pakistan national team has given these players the platform to excel. So the main focus and preference should be to remain fit and play for the national team rather than to accumulate wealth in the lucrative T20 leagues.

M Sayyad Alam Khan

Peshawar