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Australia had returned to Pakistani shores after 24 long years and it was upon the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to turn it into a memorable series by preparing surfaces that produced an even contest between bat and ball but they failed big time.
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First Rawalpindi, then Karachi, and now Lahore, the tracks on all three venues made life difficult for the bowlers – for both pacers and spinners – and heavily tilted the tide in the favour of the batters.
Even the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee was not pleased with the Rawalpindi pitch and rated it as “below average” in his official report.
Pat Cummins doing some repair works on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/sB5Wy6bpUW
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 15, 2022
After the first two Tests ended in a draw, cricket fans around the world had hoped the host nation would change its stance and prepare decks that offered something to bowlers and the batters in equal measures. However, witnessing the action unfold in the first two days of the Test match, the fans have been left disappointed.
Instead of correcting its mistakes, the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has reportedly issued an advisory to all the commentators to abolish the word “flat track” in their analysis of the surface.
Here’s the video:
Have a listen to Michael Kasprowicz go into full panic mode once he realizes he’s called the pitches “flat” despite the PCB giving a directive to the commentators not to mention how flat they are… #PAKvAUS https://t.co/8Li0CsDRz3 pic.twitter.com/SUXn9N2q9v
— Darren Murphy (@MrDMurphy) March 22, 2022
On Day 2 of the ongoing third Test, former Australian fast bowler Micheal Kasprowicz went into full panic mode after describing the Lahore surface as “flat wickets” on air. Almost immediately he issued an apology and took his words back.
“It's important, isn't it. We talk about the spinners, the variations, the speed is certainly one of those things. But also for the fast bowlers, and certainly Mitchell Starc's speeds have been very consistent here at 140. But I think, the key also, on these flat wickets -- sorry, on these good batting strips what we are seeing here, beautiful batting strips..” Kasprowicz said on air.
From his reaction it was clear that he had received orders from the PCB administration to not describe the surface as “flat”.
As per a journalist from Geo News, these instructions were given to commentators by Ramiz Raja during the Rawalpindi Test as well. #PAKvAUS
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 13, 2022
The former Aussie pacer did his best to pass it off as a genuine error but soon reports emerged that the directives had come directly from the PCB chief Ramij Raza himself.
The clipping of Kasprowicz soon became viral on social media and fans, including the Pakistani supporters, started slamming the PCB and its chairman for killing Test cricket through these road-like surfaces.
That's fundamentally a fascist behaviour, instead of fixing the root cause, you censor any mention of it and censure those who do. And imbecilic us were expecting him to turn this ship around
— Sikander Javaid (@sikander69) March 13, 2022If administrators think placid pitches and dull draws will popularise Test cricket, they are grossly doubting the intelligence of the fans. The series in Pakistan has harmed Test cricket. Who has the answers?
— Vijay Lokapally (@vijaylokapally) March 22, 2022This series gives the 80’s a run for its money… quite possibly the most boring & dull series of the 21st century, especially after all the hype around it. The PCB has laid out the template on how to kill Test cricket!
— Adrian Gay (@AdrianG37) March 22, 2022So depressing if the commentators can't say what's in front of their eyes why be there at all?
— James (@pennsworld) March 22, 2022Not a great look. Commentators should be able to speak without fear or favour. If you think the pitch is flat, you should be able to say so. As cricket fans, we know what we're seeing. Trying to pull the wools over our eyes is a silly move by the powers that be
— MediumPaceDobbler (@MediumPaceDobb1) March 22, 2022Tbh this series is worst series of 21 st century, all matches pitch was totally flat, aussies batters tried to make result but Pakistani batters always looking for draw and pak fans who are saying when aus come to bowl they start crying dude, they out pak under 150.
— Ã𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓 (@famededo_) March 22, 2022Calling a spade a spade is what commentators do and it’s a shame the PCB chief stopped them from speaking their mind.
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