Respecting our players as ASSETS

Contrasting gestures in one single frame

As I pen down these thoughts, a poignant image comes to mind: South Africa celebrating a nail-biting victory, while the Man-of-the-Moment for Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas, stood heartbroken. Despite his spirited and zealous performance, especially after his heroics at Centurion, he had to endure the bitter taste of defeat. This stark contrast in emotions underscores the impact of our management's shortcomings on our players, highlighting the need for a more thoughtful and strategic approach to support and nurture our cricketing talent. 

گرتے ہیں شہ سوار میدان جنگ میں

While writing these lines, I couldn't help but recall a striking image: South Africa celebrating their cliffhanger victory, while Pakistan's Man-of-the-Moment, Mohammad Abbas, stood heartbroken. After his heroic efforts at Centurion, he was left to face the bitterness of defeat. This isn't just a personal setback for Abbas but a reflection of a deeper issue within our team management.

Fast bowlers like Abbas should be treated as valuable assets, yet we've overused and mismanaged them. This isn't justifiable when there are other players on the field who could have shared the burden. Why couldn’t Shaan Masood and the respected management team communicate more effectively to manage the bowlers better? This lack of strategic planning has exposed Abbas to international scrutiny, diminishing his effectiveness and risking his career.

As I reflect on this, an image of South Africa's celebration juxtaposed with Abbas's heartbreak underscores the mismanagement's impact on our players. Despite his enthusiasm and zeal, Abbas had to deal with defeat due to a lack of support from the management. This isn't just a failure; it's a betrayal of our players' dedication and hard work.

In conclusion, it’s imperative that we adopt a more strategic and compassionate approach to managing our cricket talent. Fast bowlers like Mohammad Abbas deserve better. They need proper rotation, rest, and support to perform at their best and avoid injuries. Our management needs to take a proactive role, ensuring that our players are not overburdened and are utilized effectively.

A Critical Examination: Mismanagement in Pakistani Cricket

This issue extends beyond the captain to encompass the entire management team seated in the players' section, who share equal responsibility. A deeply troubling observation I've made is that, much like the way many Pakistanis misuse and abuse public facilities, we have similarly mishandled Mohammad Abbas (MA). This is my personal opinion, and I might be mistaken in my assessment, but I strongly feel that in longer formats, we should treat our bowlers, especially fast bowlers, as valuable assets. This perceived mishandling is why I used the term "abused"—a harsh word, I admit, but necessary to convey my concern.

During matches, there are ten other players on the field, and aside from MA, there are three more bowlers. Why couldn’t Shaan Masood and the respected management team communicate effectively on the field to manage the bowlers better? We must take responsibility for this oversight because, through such actions, we have exposed Mohammad Abbas to international scrutiny.

Do we not realize that other teams’ managements review MA's performance videos? It’s not just South Africa; globally, teams analyze every player's strength and weakness. I was browsing through the Archives Section of SuperSport, known for their comprehensive documentaries. It’s naive to think they haven’t studied MA’s footage in detail. Again, I apologize for my harsh words, but this is reflective of a broader issue: as a nation, we are mismanaging and consequently undermining our own talent on the global stage.

In this context, the failure to properly utilize Mohammad Abbas highlights a critical flaw in our management strategy. It’s not just about one player but a systemic issue where the overall approach lacks foresight and strategic depth. Fast bowlers are prone to fatigue and injury, especially in long formats, and yet we have repeatedly seen them overused without proper rotation or rest. This not only risks their health but also diminishes their effectiveness over time.

Shaan Masood and the management team need to take a more proactive role in field decisions. Effective communication and strategic planning are essential to ensure that our bowlers are not overburdened. The lack of such measures not only hampers individual performance but also affects the team's overall effectiveness.

Furthermore, by not addressing these issues, we allow international teams to exploit our weaknesses. They observe, analyze, and strategize accordingly. This lack of internal management acumen puts our players at a disadvantage even before they step onto the field. It’s imperative that we recognize these shortcomings and work towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to player management.

In conclusion, the need for better management and strategic use of our players, particularly bowlers like Mohammad Abbas, cannot be overstated. It's a call for introspection and improvement within our cricketing framework to ensure we are nurturing and protecting our talent, not inadvertently exposing and exhausting them. Let’s learn from these missteps and strive towards a more competent and supportive environment for our cricketers. 

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