Several times in history, the cricket world has stood dumbstruck by scintillating performances from Pakistani players.

Cricket seems to be in their blood, as the game rightly suits their aggressive nature and their talent is nothing but amazing. But why is it that the careers of most brilliant Pakistanis blessed with raw, natural talent and towering physique meet a premature end ?

Why is it that their magnificent performances end like a flash in the pan instead of giving them the confidence to be consistent performers for their country ?

'Malik is the man for the future for Pakistan. He surely is a leader in the making. Enough opportunities, proper grooming and subtle nurturing will enable him to come out with flying colours for his side'


Just check out the recent strong criticism back home of Shoaib Malik, the young Pakistani captain and naturally gifted all-rounder, after the 3-2 loss to India in the one-day series. Former players like Aaqib Javed and Rashid Latif have come out openly criticising Malik for '’meddling’'  with the batting order, which they believe cost Pakistan the Gwalior ODI and thereby the series.

The ever-clever, cunning Javed Miandad has gone one step further by suggesting immediate replacements for Malik in Younis Khan or Mohammad Yousuf, in addition to labelling him a '’misfit’' for the job. By examining this one issue, one will get to know how great Pakistani players who would have become world-class cricketers if used or groomed in a much more judicious way, had to leave the stage half-way.

With just one series loss to India, the country’s former players and cricket fans are losing sleep thinking how they have tolerated Malik as captain for so long. Months ago, in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, it was the same so-called '’misfit’’ who led Pakistan into the finals, beating all odds including Australia.

Apart from the two matches against India, in which the young man was carried away by the enormous pressure of the situation, Malik’s captaincy was close to perfection. After all, in the history of the World Cup there is not a single Pakistani captain who has been able to hold his nerves in a high-voltage clash against India.

But to lead the side to the finals - and that in a high-profile event like a World Cup - definitely requires skill and courage which are now being comfortably forgotten and considered '’a thing of the past’'.

Harmony in the dressing room, thirst for victory, ability to gel and play as a team, co-operation among the coach, captain, senior players and the juniors, is what the current team need and not a change of captain. It is true that Malik's immaturity as captain has contributed to the team's series loss to some extent. But by holding him solely responsible, Pakistan Cricket is continuing the age-old tradition of victimising a talented youngster by denying him enough opportunities.

Interestingly, the possible replacements suggested by Miandad (Younis and Yousuf) also belong to the long list of Pakistan's victimised young talent. They, too, have never been offered enough of a platform to develop themselves as potential leaders.

The authorities, ambassadors and followers of the game in Pakistan should realise that Rome wasn't built in a day. In other words, revisiting the captaincy issue after just five matches is pointless. Malik should be given more opportunities and groomed as a captain.

I have always felt the reason for Inzamam's failure at the helm was the lack of proper grooming at an early stage. He was offered the captaincy at a very late stage in his career. As a result, he perished from the stage without recording anything epic-like in his leadership spell.

Malik is the man for the future for Pakistan. He surely is a leader in the making. Enough opportunities, proper grooming and subtle nurturing will enable him to come out with flying colours for his side. Let's not have another addition to the list of victimised young Pakistani talent owing to lack of patience and selfishness - the two components of Pakistan cricket.