An Insight into a Pakistani's Mind

By: Tapan Joshi

The 15 days that I spent in Dhaka covering the just concluded Asia Cup gave me an insight into the Pakistani philosophy of cricket. I interacted with most Pakistani players, interviewing them, and was fascinated by their approach to the game - and to life itself.

I have always wondered how the Pakistan team gets better of our cricketers most of the time. What is it that inspires them to rise above their limitations in crunch situations? After a fortnight of listening to Pakistanis (remember, the Indians clammed up and would not speak to anyone), I have concluded that they don't think much about anything.

As a nation, Pakistan may convey the impression of always being chaotic. Its people seem to live for the day. Its cricketers are mostly picked up from the streets and have two choices before them: Perform well and lead a luxurious life or go back to those streets and, worse, to the poverty.

Compare such desperation to the thinking of an up and coming Indian cricketer, who in all probability hails from a middle-class background, with at least a degree to fall back upon, and you will get a clue to the difference in thinking. Also, because of the smaller size of the country, the talent is more easily spotted.

Another reason for Pakistan's superior record in cricket is that country suffers from a terrible inferiority complex when it comes to India. The Pakistanis are obsessed with India, Indian films, Indian music, Indian clothes et al. Anything Indian stirs up their emotions.

Cricket is one area in which they strongly believe they can pull down their neighbours any time, and defeat by India is never tolerated. The cricketers are all well aware of that, and contrary to the popular belief in India, it is a fact that a win over India brings more relief than joy to Pakistani cricketers.

Most of the Pakistani cricketers cannot boast of possessing too much intelligence. Now, that is a blessing in disguise. Give me a Yousuf Youhana any day. If out of form, he will throw caution to the wind and stand up to crack a brilliant hundred. Compare his approach to that of Rahul Dravid, who gets so obsessed with his front foot that scoring runs become secondary. The feet have to be in correct position!

Besides, senior cricketers in Pakistan pick the talent, and groom it. In this Pakistan side, players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul Haq and Moin Khan are Imran Khan's discoveries, while among the younger lot, Abdur Razzaq is Wasim Akram's protégé. The legacy continues.

Can you think of one fast bowler Kapil Dev has produced for India? Can you, dear reader, name one opener Sunil Gavaskar has groomed or an off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna or S Venkataraghavan has shared his knowledge with?

It is very easy to sit in the comfort of the commentary box and say Indian cricket lacks talent. To groom a youngster is a different ball game altogether. Left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi is probably the only one among India's greats who has constantly endeavoured to pass his wisdom to the younger lot.

Is it surprising then that Pakistan produces quality fast bowlers with amazing regularity, while India has only had a handful in its entire history? One, kids there love to bowl fast, and people there are much more aggressive compared to India. Yousuf Youhana told me, "Bahut fast bowlers hain hamare yahan. Any club side will have at least one genuinely quick bowler."

I came to know of one amazing thing while talking to Abdur Razzaq. I asked him how he plans his strategy against Sachin Tendulkar, since Razzaq has almost made the great man his bunny. Razzaq replied, "What strategy! I bowl whatever Wasim-bhai tells me to bowl."

In the next game, I went down to where the photographers had taken up position to be able to watch Razzaq and Akram. Sure enough, Akram had moved to a position from where he could walk up to Razzaq, and after every delivery, there was a little conversation between the master and the pupil.

Finally, two extremely shrewd cricketers who deserve a lot of credit for Pakistan's recent successes are skipper Moin Khan and coach Javed Miandad. Their influence on the side, and on youngsters like Imran Nazir is tremendous. Whatever Miandad say is law, and that is not out of fear.

The youngsters realise Miandad has their and the team's good at heart. Just have a five-minute chat with any Pakistan cricketer, and you will hear Javed-bhai's mention about hundred times! Moin, that brave Pathan, plays his cricket hard and leads by example. His innings in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka was nothing but grit and guts.

Pakistan cricket is indeed fascinating. The talent is abundant. The Nazirs and the Youhanas are not products of any academies. The likes of Imran Khan have kept pointing out the drawback of its first class cricket but who cares as long as the team keeps on winning? Can you imagine what a force Pakistan would be if it makes those corrections that Imran Khan has been suggesting?

I dread it.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com

Date Created: 10/04/2005

Date/Time Last Modified: 10/4/2005 8:46:47 AM

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