Some very valid points made by the honorable Professor, one has to accept.
“I admit I didn’t perform as per my standards in Zimbabwe.”
No need to mention it Sir, all great batsmen go through bad runs of form in their careers, you are neither the first and nor the last of the great batsmen to suffer from this misfortune. As your majestic batting average of 33.78 for your illustrious test career would affirm, you are right up there Sir, right up there with the best of the best. In that context, yes indeed your recent performances have not been quite up to your high standards, such is the benchmark you have set when it comes to performances, with such prolific run scoring and remarkable innings you have played over the years.
“Lack of Test cricket has affected my performance as well as team’s performance.”
Indeed Sir, agree with you entirely. Its such a tragedy for world cricket, let alone Pakistan cricket, that such a skillful and wonderfully gifted batsman as yourself, has played just 34 test matches in a decade. For there is no doubt that if anyone deserves to play 100 test matches for Pakistan after Miandad, it is you Sir , because you are made for test cricket in many ways, with such a classical technique, full range of strokes and quality to take on the best pace and spin bowling in the world, as we have all witnessed. You have thrilled and delighted many of us fans over the years with your graceful batsmanship, such is the artistry and sheer elegance that you display at the crease.
As for the point about the effect on the team’s performance, again I agree with that assertion because there is no denying that your poor run of form in recent times has dented the team’s morale and especially the youngsters are looking at yourself to show the way. This is the effect all great players from Sobers, Richards, Miandad, Gavaskar, Lara , Tendulkar and yourself all have on their teams.
“We take criticism positively, but unfair criticism is not right.” : Mohammad Hafeez
Absolutely spot on , but again maybe its the high standards you referred to earlier, so high are these standards you have set for your performances, that these critics are expecting you to succeed every time.
Maybe it is pertinent to remind these critics, the old saying:
Form is temporary, Class (and lack of class – but not in the Professor’s case!) is permanent.
