Players’ power caused Pakistan U19 debacle

By Ahmed Jatt

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket and controversy are correlative and this time players’ power proved the bone of contention of a searing controversy as Pakistan U19 cricket team displayed worst performance in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 concluded recently in Australia with India U19 clinching the title.

Serious conflict between captain Babar Azam and coach Sabih Azhar was the main cause behind dismal performance of Pakistan U19 Cricket Team in the ICC U19 World Cup 2012: Sources

Pakistan U19 team’s performance stunned all and sundry as the team had defeated the runners-up Australia U19 in a three-match series by 2-1 in the pre-tournament series but since losing to India U19 in the quarterfinal after a tough contest, Pakistani team continued losing badly to the hands of Bangladesh U19 and West Indies U19 thus finishing eighth in the tournament.

Sources, which were with the team during the ICC U19 World Cup, told TheSportsNext.com on Tuesday that Pakistan U19 team was dispersed because of players’ power.

Sources claimed that Pakistani U19 captain Babar Azam and coach Sabih Azhar had developed serious conflict on some issues while players’ power was the other issue that hampered the team’s performance in the ICC’s flagship event. Due to these differences between captain and coach, the dressing room atmosphere was tense, the sources added.

Sources further revealed that Pakistani U19captain Babar Azam mostly misbehaved with coach Sabih Azhar and team manager Haroon Rasheed was the central character behind all this as he kept instigating Azam.

"Their differences were not hidden. When Sabih Azhar devised strategy for crucial matches of the tournament, Babar Azam openly opposed his tactics and eventually rejected them in the field saying if we go with this strategy we would lose the match" sources said adding, "Sometimes Babar Azam changed the batting order too, which was the cause of their conflict".

It is important to mention here that Pakistani team lost quarter final match against India by one wicket thereafter losing their remaining matches of the competition against Bangladesh and West Indies.

Pakistan U19 finished with 8th position, which was the worst performance by a Pakistani team in the history of ICC U19 World Cups.

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Five U19CWC players knocking at international cricket

By Adrian Meredith

VICTORIA, Australia (TheSportsNext) August 27, 2012: I picked these five young cricketers as my best players, of the top teams, in the tournament, but, more than that, these are five players who I think could and should play for their country right now.

Here is a bit of an analysis of each, and why:

Unmukt Chand (India)

He didn't have the most amazing tournament. Prior to the final, he wasn't even the top scorer for India. But in the final he scored a match winning century, a century against the flow, chasing what, in the context of the tournament, was a big total, 50 runs more than India had successfully chased all tournament long, against one of the best bowling line ups in the tournament. But it wasn't just that one innings. Chand, in reality, was close to an international call up before the tournament began. He had already made his first class debut and had scored heavily, averaging some 43.41 in 11 first class matches, including a century and 4 fifties. He had 2 seasons of first class cricket under his belt for Delhi - including their IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils. At Under 19 level, he has averaged over 60 - at a very good strike rate too. What he was missing was that one big tournament. He was widely tipped pre-tournament to be the player of the tournament; but while he failed to achieve that - or to get close - in the tournament decider he showed his mettle. He showed that he has the maturity to perform when it matters most. Sure, he was dropped twice on his way to that century but you take the good with the bad. It was an amazing innings, not just match winning but without him India were going to be flogged. It wasn't going to be close. And that, combined with his record, means that he is ready for the senior team now. VVS Laxman retired so there is room in the squad and he could be given an inconsequential ODI to find his feet.

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

He averages a scarcely believable 63.00 in 12 first class matches - at an incredible strike rate of 90.69. And he is a wicket keeper - taking an unbelievable 58 dismissals in those 12 matches - almost 5 dismissals per match! He had an amazing tournament too, averaging almost 50 at a strike rate of over 100 and, importantly, getting 15 catches in his 6 one day innings - an amazing record for one dayers. The problem is that he failed in crucial matches - most notably being out for just 1 in the semi final against Australia, and most of his big performances have been against weaker opponents. However, just his record is simply amazing. Mark Boucher has retired so there is the space for him to go in there. Sure, they are trying playing 7 batsmen, even in tests, with A B de Villiers keeping wicket, but de Kock would be an asset for the national team.

Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)

This slow left arm spinning all rounder had a magnificent tournament, scoring big runs and taking wickets galore, at a huge strike rate to boot, in a Shahid Afridi-like role. While Mohammad Hafeez is already providing that role for Pakistan, they could definitely do with another big hitting spin bowling all rounder and he just had an amazing tournament and has to be rewarded. His first class career has thus far been limited to one dayers and T20s and, while it hasn't been terrible, it hasn't been amazing either; but just consistent wickets and big scores on occasion would just be a boost. I fully expect him to be in the Pakistan team very shortly, as they are well known to try young players.

Anamul Haque (Bangladesh)

He averages 42.25 in 19 first class matches going back 4 years - when he was 15! He was the top run scorer of the tournament - 70 runs clear of 2nd place - averaging 60 and striking at a very good rate. He is just simply ready. 2 centuries against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as a half century against England - show that he is ready for the big time. Bangladesh would desperately love a top level batsman to help the likes of Tamim and Shakib.

Reece Topley (England)

He topped the wicket taking list with 19 wickets - 4 clear of 2nd place and took at least 2 wickets in *EVERY SINGLE MATCH*. He averaged over 3 wickets per match - in one dayers! On top of that, he has played 10 first class matches - with a first class average of 23.54 - good enough stats to be worthy of a test call up anyway. Add to that one day domestic and T20 domestic averages of 22.14 and 14.47 respectively, plus a fantastic tournament where he was my vote for player of the tournament and he is well and truly ready. Sure so England already have plenty of bowlers but at some point they are going to tire of playing bowling all-rounders like Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad and want a front line bowler and when they do Topley will be there to take charge.

There were other good players who may end up playing for their country too. Babar Alam and Zia-ul-Haq from Pakistan may end up playing for their country soon too - but that is largely because Pakistan likes to debut players at a young age. But the above mentioned five lads are definitely knocking at international cricket right now.

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