Pakistan’s leading international cricketers returning to domestic cricket has been seen as a positive step for the country’s struggling cricket system. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and other big names have returned to the domestic circuit, with more focus on getting international players involved in first-class cricket.
However, former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad believes bringing the stars back is only the beginning. He feels the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must address the deeper problems in the system instead of focusing on changes that look good in the media.
Speaking on Geo News, Shehzad welcomed the return of international players but said the conditions in domestic cricket also need to improve.
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Is Pakistan cricket focusing on the wrong things?
The former batter argued that several important areas, including fitness, coaching, pitches and player development, have been neglected for a long time. According to him, simply making visible changes without working on these issues will not solve Pakistan cricket’s problems.
Why does Shehzad want better pitches in domestic cricket?
Shehzad believes Pakistan’s domestic pitches should be designed to prepare batters for the challenges they face at the international level.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s batters often struggle against quicker deliveries and lateral movement. In his view, domestic cricket should give them the opportunity to face these conditions and improve their technique.
He suggested preparing pitches that offer some assistance to bowlers so batters can learn how to handle difficult conditions.
Are domestic pitches becoming too flat?
The former Pakistan opener also raised concerns about the way domestic pitches are prepared. He claimed that even grounds traditionally known to help bowlers are now being made flatter.
According to Shehzad, this approach reduces the value of domestic cricket as a preparation platform for international matches.
He stressed that domestic cricket should have a clear objective: helping players develop the skills needed to perform at the highest level.
What did Shehzad say about Pakistan’s domestic coaches?
Shehzad was particularly critical of the coaching standards in Pakistan’s domestic system. He questioned whether the current group of coaches is doing enough to develop young cricketers.
He argued that domestic coaches must help players develop before they reach international cricket. In his opinion, players should not just be prepared to compete but should also have the skills to win matches for Pakistan.
Can Pakistan fix its batting problems at the domestic level?
Shehzad also linked the technical weaknesses of Pakistan’s batters to shortcomings in the domestic system. He believes players should be able to correct their mistakes before reaching international cricket.
For him, domestic cricket should provide the right environment for players to work on their weaknesses, face challenging conditions and develop their game.
He ended with a warning that bringing international stars back into domestic cricket will have limited impact if the wider system remains unchanged.