Pakistan has a rich tradition of producing world-class spin bowlers who have left an indelible mark on the international cricketing landscape.

Pakistan and India have regularly produced quality spinners who won matches for their teams. Abdul Qadir, Anil Kumble, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Ravichandran Ashwin and Saeed Ajmal perfected the art of spin.

But Australian legend Shane Warne and Sri Lankan maestro Muttiah Muralitharan left behind all the other spinners. Most of the spinners’ performance is linked with supporting conditions, but Warne and Muralitharan proved themselves even in unsupportive conditions.

In recent years, Pakistan has produced several talented fast bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Hassan Ali who have gained international recognition. The emphasis on developing fast bowling talent may have shifted attention away from spinners.

The heart of the problem lies in how Pakistanis have started to view spinners. How many spinners has Pakistan tried for their bowling ability alone in the last decade? India has tried Kuldeep, Chahal, Australia has tried Adam Zampa, England has Adil Rashid, and South Africa have Maharaj and Shamsi.

There is a genuine decline in the quality of spin bowling talent emerging in Pakistan. The management tested many spinners like Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Waseem, Usama Mir, Abrar Ahmad, Zahid Mehmood, Zafar Gohar, Nauman Ali, and Sajid Khan after Saeed Ajmal but no one cemented his place due to inconsistent performances.

Occasionally a bowler performs well, but there is no real threat for the opposition on a regular basis. Our spinners neither keep the run rate down nor do they pick up wickets.

Spinners showcase a unique ability to adapt to diverse pitch conditions. Whether it’s a turning track in the subcontinent or a seaming wicket in Australia, spinners can tailor their approach accordingly. Their flexibility makes them invaluable assets for captains, offering a constant threat regardless of the playing conditions.

During the current tour of Australia, the Green-caps are badly missing the services of quality spinners who can give tough times to experienced Australian batting line-up as they are not good against skilled spinners.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is the only experienced spinner in Pakistan for Test matches, but has not been playing since July 2022. Shadab Khan has the capability to perform well, but he doesn’t get chances in Test cricket.

Yasir Shah has played 48 Test matches, taking 244 wickets with an average of over 31. His best performance - 8 wickets for 41 runs - came against New Zealand. He last played against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2022.

Shadab Khan, who is a regular part of white ball teams, has played only six Test matches, in which he has taken 14 wickets, averaging 36.64.

His recent form including the World Cup has been a concern, and the problem seems to be expanding with every game.

Unfortunately, Pakistan doesn’t have many better options than Shadab Khan, and his batting is a bonus. A wrist spinner is a must in the modern-day ODI format, but if the wrist spinner fails to do his job consistently, it is imperative to try the other options. Pakistan have persisted with Shadab Khan despite the lean patch, and considering the options available, they might continue with him for now. But, the right questions must be asked to the lead spinner of the team.

Slow left arm orthodox bowler Nauman Ali has played 15 Tests for Pakistan, taking 47 wickets, averaging 33.53.

Abrar Ahmed, a legbreak googly bowler, has played six Tests, taking 38 wickets at an average of 31.07.

In his first two matches, against England, he took 17 wickets, averaging 27.17. In the next two matches, against New Zealand, also at home, he took 11 wickets at a higher average of 43.63.

Offbreak spinner Sajid Khan has played 7 Tests for the national team and claimed 22 wickets at a high average of 37.81.

Legbreak bowler Zahid Mehmood claimed 12 wickets in two Tests he played against England last year, but didn’t get a chance again.

Legbreak bowler Usama Mir hasn’t got a chance in Tests for Pakistan so far.

The above stats show that except Yasir Shah no spinner has managed to cement his place in the national squad. Nauman, Abrar, Zahid and Sajid have played only 27 Tests collectively.

The domestic cricket structure in Pakistan has faced challenges and changes over the years. These changes can impact the development of spinners at the grassroots level. A well-organised and competitive domestic structure is essential for identifying and nurturing talented spinners from a young age.

Spin bowling requires a thorough understanding of different conditions and the ability to adapt to them. In Pakistan there are limited opportunities for spinners to gain experience of diverse conditions, which can hinder their development.

The coaching infrastructure and facilities available for spinners also play a pivotal role in shaping their development. Ensuring top-notch coaching for spinners at the grassroots level, providing access to state-of-the-art training facilities, and creating a conducive environment for spin bowling development are essential steps that need attention.

While the perception of a decline in Pakistan’s spin bowling might be prevalent, it is essential to recognize that cricket is a cyclical sport. The absence of world-class spinners in recent times does not necessarily indicate a permanent dearth of talent. The nation has a track record of producing legendary spinners, and with concerted efforts in coaching, infrastructure development, and a strategic approach to spin bowling at all levels, Pakistan can once again become a breeding ground for world-class spin talent.

The cricket management should hire some former spinners like Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq or Saeed Ajmal who have enough international experience so that they can find young talented spinners and groom them according to national team requirements.

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