Welcome to the ‘B-tier’

Pakistan’s humiliating defeat at the hands of its arch rival India was a big disappointment for the whole nation. Cricket is more than just a game in our country. Rather, strong emotional attachment with the game is present among the majority. A match against India is directly linked to the pride of the whole nation. One has to say that our cricketing authorities and our government are greatly responsible for creating undue hype and unrealistic hopes amongst the people for the victory of the Pakistan team. The higher the expectations the greater the disappointment felt by the Pakistani nation at the loss of our team.

It is quite clear to discerning observers that the Pakistani team has become a second-tier cricket team, its occasional brilliance notwithstanding. The difference of performance between the Pakistani team and top-tier teams like India, Australia, England and New Zealand is growing by the day. Everything with the PCB also seems to be going wrong. Unless there is a complete overhaul of this body, cricket will face the same fate as hockey and squash.

Akbar Jan Marwat

Islamabad