Pakistani cricketer Umar Gul reacts after bowling at a practice session ahead of the third cricket Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Saturday (18). (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

In a most miserable display of cricket, Pakistan succumbed to their humiliating defeat at the hands of ever improving Sri Lanka in the 1st and 2nd Tests and brought up the reason as lack of Test match practice. It is a vague excuse.

In a three Test series, you have to play six innings and scoring a century and some eighty runs in one innings is not sufficient to hang on in the series. All Pakistani batsmen failed miserably in the first two matches, but for Fawad Alam.

The seniors with tremendous experience, capt. Younus Khan, ex-capt. Shoaib Malik, Mohd Yousuf, Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, were inconsistent. It is unclear whether they played for their country or played backyard cricket.

It was observed that when a wicket fell, the incoming batsman went in with a fear psychosis, not with the determination of reviving the side and committed the identical mistake, throwing away his wicket. They went on slogging, instead of playing positive cricket, playing each ball on its merit, by watching the turn and spin of the ball. The batsmen sacrificed their wickets as if they were blind-folded, displaying guesswork batting.

Invariably, they stretched the foot forward far too often to be adjudged LBW. Losing 8 wickets for 47 runs and again 8 wickets for just 28 is ridiculous, particularly in Test cricket, for a nation where its seniors have played the game for many years.

The Pakistani captain. stated that he would not blame anyone for the defeat. Why not? He and his whole team, especially the batsmen, were responsible for showing that kind of negative approach.

Both Tests finished with two days to spare. They looked as if they are not geared to play 5-day Tests.

Khan also stated that technical lapses caused the collapse (should the coachers be blamed for that?). The Pakistan bowling attack, though, both pace and spin, was superb.

Younus Khan said (‘The Island’ on July 15, 2009) they would be playing for ‘pride’ in the 3rd Test. What pride? They could have done something more substantial in the first two Tests to keep their pride. Their supporters in Pakistan must be terribly critical and disappointed at their sorrowful display after becoming T20 world champions!

It is high time the selectors thought of bringing varied young talent to be groomed to play positive cricket instead of resorting to lethargic and irresponsible play.

It is apparent that gone are the days of classic teamwork, batsmanship and outstanding bowling performances when Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anvar, Insamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis and the like played the game when Pakistan cricket was at the highest level.

Unless Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka captain decides to rest himself and Mahela, Thilan Samaraweera, Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and Kulasekara get another senior to lead the side and some freshers are included in the hosts’ team for the 3rd Test, a series whitewash is inevitable.

Pakistan being T20 champs this time looks to have been over emphasized.

The time is ripe now for them to concentrate on a complete overhaul.