If we are to do well against England this October we really need to get down to planning everything properly. This is going to be a massive series. Pakistan hasnt won a test series series since Woolmer took charge and he wud be looking foward to this test for sure. The pressure would be on him given the nature of the media in Pakistan. I for one am sure that his loyalty would be questioned given that he is an Englishman coaching Pakistan against but more on that later. I would propose the following:
First of all we need to figure out what sort of pitches to prepare. England has a very good pace attack which bowls with a lot of confidence. There is a good chance if we prepare seaming wickets and have to bat early on we might loose a few wickets which would hand the initative to England. This is something we can not afford. On the contrary if a spinning track was to be prepared can we rely solely on Danish to pick atleast 10 wickets in a match? I dont know if that woudl be fair on him. This is question for the team managment and the PCB hirearch should make it a priority to sit the pitch curator down with Inzy and Bob and have a full discussion as to how they want the pitch to play.
Secondly, we should work on making our grounds fortress for the opposing teams. There should be a very strong element of support for the Pakistan Cricket team. WHat i am proposing are means to psyche out the oponents at the time of entering the field. We have home advantage here and we should press it. The English team should be reminded that they are in Pakistan and would have to play really well if they are to win. On the other hand this would give our players the confidence if they know that the crowd is behind them totally even when the chips are done. This can be done in many ways. You can have anouncers on the PA system urging the crowd on. Songs can be played. We can have messages up on the score cards before a game. Kids holding the Pakistan flag before the teams go to play. PCB can provide small national flags on each of the seats at the stadium. Anything and everything which inspires confidence in our team and demoralises the other.
Thirdly, England coming to Pakistan means that the Sky Sports commentary team would be coming along. Now i dont have anything against the people from Sky Sports but they only present the very biased ENglish point of view. This is fine to a certain extent but the series is being played in Pakistan and my understanding is that it would Be Ten Sports Pakistan’s broadcasters who would be repsonsible for airing the content. PCB should make a point of telling its broadcasters to highlight and promote the Pakistani point of view just as much as the people like Ian Botham and Nasser Hussain. The focus should be on the Pakistani fans in the crowd just as much as the Barmy Army which normally shows up in numbers. This is an opportunity for PCB to promote the cities of Pakistan as safe venues they should have Ten Sports produce and air promos showing the secenry from cities like Karachi, Faisalabd, Multan, Lahore and Pindi. Why should we not get the coverage we deserve instead of having to sit throw a one sided english point of view.
FOurth, we need to figure out who will be opening in the tests. If possible we should persist with the same openers during the entire series.
Finally the management should focus on teaching the boys as to how to seize initiatives.We have had enough of coming back from behind in India and the West Indies. The time has come that our team should go out there and give a supreme effort in the very first game of the series.
This is going to be one highly competitive series. A series which i Like many others want my team to do well in. Now is the right time for us to sit back and prepare.