INDIA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RUIN OF PAKISTAN CRICKET:DEVANAND SINGH

INDIA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RUIN OF PAKISTAN CRICKET:DEVANAND SINGH

8-SEP-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------While discussing the current dismal state of Pakistan cricket, former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf blamed India, yet experts believe the real problem lies within.

"India became the cause of our ruin..."—this statement by former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Yousuf is certainly emotional, but it fails to explain the current plight of Pakistan cricket. Labeling the historic 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup as the beginning of Pakistan cricket's downfall actually points to a deeper malaise: an aversion to introspection.

The victory over India was a moment of pride for Pakistan. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan batted brilliantly, and Pakistan defeated India in a World Cup match for the first time. Celebrating that win was natural. However, did Pakistan cricket believe that this single victory signified a permanent conquest of world cricket? If that very victory is now being cited as the cause of their ruin, the issue lies not with the win itself, but with the mindset that followed it.

In cricket, a single match can alter history, but it cannot determine the future of an entire cricketing system. Building a strong team requires robust domestic cricket, a transparent selection process, continuous preparation of players for the international stage, and administrative stability. By ICC standards, Pakistan has long faced scrutiny on these fronts.

Captaincy changed frequently, selection controversies persisted, infighting plagued cricket administration, and the team failed to achieve consistent performance. While it is easy to blame India, doing so will not resolve the actual weaknesses of Pakistan cricket.

Ironically, the very India that Pakistan once counted among its greatest victories is now being blamed for its current plight. Did India weaken Pakistan's domestic cricket system? Did India force its selectors to make poor decisions? Did India create instability in its cricket administration? Clearly, Pakistan must look within itself for the answers to these questions.

In reality, the problem is not India, but a mindset that claims credit for success while shifting the blame for failure onto others.

Pakistan cricket has never lacked talent. The legacy of greats like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Yousuf stands as proof. Talented players exist there even today; what is missing is the provision of the right direction, a stable system, and a professional environment to nurture that talent.

Mohammad Yousuf’s anguish is understandable. Watching one's national cricket team go into a steady decline is painful for any former player. However, instead of turning that pain into blame, it should be channeled into a call for reform.

The victory against India in 2021 did not spell ruin for Pakistan cricket; rather, it demonstrated that the potential still exists within the country. The real failure lies in the inability to harness that potential consistently and effectively.

Pakistan should compete with India on the field rather than shying away from the flaws in its own policies and systems. In cricket, defeating the opposing team wins a match, but overcoming one's own shortcomings strengthens the entire system. Blaming India will not put Pakistan cricket back on track; for that, Pakistan needs to take a hard look at itself. Pakistan cricket requires introspection rather than finger-pointing; only then can it return to the path of becoming a world champion again.