NEWS
Follow UsWith nine Tests over the next five months, Pakistan will have to hold ground against Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies in their own backyard. This phase will also mark Jason Gillespie’s biggest test as Pakistan’s national coach, with an increasing need for the Men in Green to find an identity in the longest format.
Ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Gillespie reckoned that Pakistan have got all the bases covered and can ‘mould’ their style of play according to different playing conditions without much fuss.
"I firmly believe we've got all bases covered, whether it's fast bowling, slower bowling, or playing on faster, bouncier tracks that offer more assistance to seamers, or surfaces that are lower and slower. We need to be flexible and adaptable, but we'll certainly have a basic blueprint on how we want to play our games," Gillespie said on PCB's podcast ahead of the first Test, starting August 21.
The former Australian bowler made it clear that time will run its course and help them find that lacking identity.
"The identity will sort itself out. I don't think that will be resolved right now. It will be a process to figure out exactly what surfaces we want to play on going forward," he added.
So, why has Pakistan struggled to find their feet at home?
"If I'm being brutally honest, in home Test matches, because they've been played at different times of the year and against different nations, we still haven't found our ideal way of playing at home that suits our batting, bowling and overall style. That's something we need to figure out quickly. We need to determine what helps us win as a team. How can we create conditions that suit us more and put us in the driving seat, rather than just thinking about how we can cope with the opposition?
"It's about familiarity, figuring things out, and consistency, which matters a lot in Test cricket. We're playing nine Test matches in four months, but we've also had to deal with an unfortunate calendar where we played in Australia, and then we're playing our next Test after ten months. These are challenges that Pakistan cricket needs to address going forward.
"We need more Test cricket. We play a lot of domestic cricket, so I don't think we can blame that. We do play 10 first-class matches minimum, and with the introduction of departmental cricket, some players ended up playing 16-17 first-class matches in a year."
Another thing that has plagued Pakistan cricket is consistency — not just on the pitch but even in the selection process. Constant chopping and changing though has been a constant theme. Gillespie believes that creating a ‘stable’ environment will help the players improve their game.
"I'm a realist. There has been a lot of instability and turnover recently, both on and off the field. From a Test perspective, the selectors and I want to address this and ensure consistency and stability. If we can create an environment where everything off the field is stable, it gives players the best chance to know they are supported and trusted to perform.
"As a coach, as long as players are committed, putting in the time and effort to improve, and are ready to perform for the team, they will have our full support. Yes, results matter, and I understand that, as a coach, I am judged on them. However, I will support our players and our coaching staff to help the players be their best and create an environment where they can play with a clear mind."
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