In the second Test against South Africa, these questions
were answered with ruthless efficiency. With two days still in hand and 228
runs needed to script a comeback, Pakistan folded predictably, showcasing yet
again their perennial fragility in alien conditions. The visitors succumbed to
a whitewash—a result as inevitable as it was disheartening.
A Tale of Two Missing
Pillars
The absence of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq has left an
irreplaceable void in Pakistan’s Test lineup. Post their retirement, the baton
was expected to pass to Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali—batters groomed in the
shadows of these stalwarts. Yet, their inability to shoulder responsibility has
left Pakistan's batting brittle, especially overseas.
Azhar Ali’s numbers, while respectable at first glance,
unravel under scrutiny. His career average of 43.27 dips to 37.41 away from home.
In the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, the
disparity becomes stark. Apart from a solitary bright spot in Australia, where
he averages a remarkable 81.20, his numbers plummet: a dismal 16.00 in South
Africa, 29.68 in England, and 29.42 in New Zealand.
Shafiq, touted as a middle-order mainstay, has fared no
better. His career average of 38.94 flatters to deceive, buoyed largely by runs
on placid tracks in the UAE. In testing conditions, the cracks widen: averages
of 36.5 in England, 32.08 in South Africa, and 23.28 in New Zealand. For two
players with over 60 Tests under their belts, such mediocrity is damning.
The Missing
Fight
Batting in SENA countries requires more than just technique;
it demands grit, adaptability, and the will to fight against the odds. This is
where Pakistan’s senior batters have faltered most glaringly. Instead of
shielding younger players like Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, or Shan Masood from
fiery pace attacks, they’ve exposed them to the lions' den unprepared.
Babar’s audacious stroke play against Dale Steyn and
Masood’s unexpected resolve offered glimpses of potential, but these were mere
flickers in a sea of darkness. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed, while not expected to
anchor innings as a specialist batter, has failed to inspire his team as a
leader. The captaincy in Test cricket demands a vision and a steeliness that
Sarfraz has yet to demonstrate.
A Perennial
Problem
This series was not a new chapter but a rerun of an
all-too-familiar script. Since the departure of Pakistan’s batting greats of
the 1990s and 2000s, tours of South Africa have become an exercise in futility.
The team often goes through the motions, returning home with fleeting positives
and lessons unlearned.
The blame lies not only with individuals but also with a
collective mindset. Without meticulous planning, mental preparation, and a
genuine hunger for success abroad, Pakistan’s Test progress will remain
stagnant. The need for accountability, strategy, and leadership cannot be
overstated.
A Call for
Change
If Pakistan aspires to be competitive in Test cricket,
especially overseas, the status quo must be challenged. The transition from
flat-track dominance to consistent performances in hostile conditions will
demand a cultural shift. Batters like Azhar and Shafiq must either rediscover
their fighting spirit or make way for a new generation willing to embrace the
challenge.
For now, the haunting echoes of another South African whitewash remain—a bitter reminder of what Pakistan cricket could be, but isn’t.
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