The winning mentality...

[Maranello]

It has been quite heartening to see some of the comments from the likes of Younis, Inzamam and Youhana (included in my post here). This shows that finally the team, as a whole, is looking forward to develop the "winning mentality". In the past, the typical mentality of most of our players, administrators and supporters has been something like this:

"I have scored 40, took one catch, and got two wickets - I have done my duty for the Test, confirmed my selection for the next game, and my place in the team is no longer under threat - so I can take it easy"

and with that, the guy would consciously or mostly, subconsciously, take his foot off the gas and get complacent. To my mind, this is one of the key reasons why we are such underachievers compared to the likes of Australia and even England.

So historically, people in our team would score one ton, or get one four-wicket haul, and then they would feel secure in the knowledge that their place in the side is assured! Instead of utilising their good starts to win matches, our guys often are happy with 40s and 50s, in the mistaken belief that "they have done enough". Enough for their own re-selection, maybe yes, but certainly not enough for the team.

For me the players themselves are less to blame for this, than the administrators, who have made selection such a lottery. The revolving door policy of team-building, where Test caps are handed out like confetti, leads to everyone watching their own backs, and selfishly, trying to cement their own places first and foremost, regardless of the team requirements. The supporters must share some of the blame too, quick to put players on padestals without them actually achieving their potential.

Instead, our players should have greater desire, and much greater hunger. This does seem to be happening, for instance, Youhana and Younis Khan, instead of patting themselves on the back, seem to be getting ready to score big 100s, and Younis Khan in particular sounds very positive. That is how a true champion sportsman would prepare himself, in any sport. But most of our guys feel, after scoring a 40 or 60, that "job's done", and then get complacent... in the rare occasion when someone other than Inzi gets a 100, they would normally assume they have the place in the team confirmed for a good few Tests, so can stop worrying about excelling.

These guys all need to realise that cricket is a team game, so what matters is not your own individual contribution and whether it was okay or not, but rather, the whole effort of the team, and whether that was upto its potential. So everyone in the team, even those who got 100s, and definitely guys who got less than that, should question themselves every day: Did I really do enough for my team today? Did I have the potential to do a lot, lot more? And how will I turn that potential into reality. This is the mindset of the likes of Dravid, Hayden, Ponting and Gilchrist. Never being satisfied, always looking to improve and better yourselves, and never resting on your "laurels". For me, this is the winning mentality, which will take this team to the next level.

[Zainub]

In a batsmen's case you might also describe it as "appetite" (for runs that is!)

Over all I agree, our younger lot particularly has some way to go in terms of developing a winning mentality, from my judgements only Salman Butt from amogst the numerous batsmen we have tried seems to have that mentality, in the past, players like Imran Nazir have enjoyed only sporatic moments of joy and brilliance but never a sustained run in the side or even one really good big innings - all because they lacked something mentally. And since I mentioned Nazir, rather unfortunately I learned that's he got him self seriously injuired playing in the Patron's trophy while fielding in one of the games.

Anyhow, I'm trying not to count my chickens before the eggs have hatched, its all good seing Younis Khan come and say something positive, but its a hell lot easier to be positive when you're 2 down at 273, much more difficult at other times. Given the unpredictable nature of the Pakistani side (and having noticed the last 8 Indian wickets go down for not many runs) only an iternal optimist like me can rule out completely the possibility of us collapsing misreably, and only barely taking the lead

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

the possibility of us collapsing misreably, and only barely taking the lead

Sure Zainub, I agree, that possibility is always there with our team, and I have learnt never to discount it

However, the key question is that why have our players, for quite a few years now, not had this winning mentality, or apetite for runs? Why do they often end up playing just to confirm their seat on the team-bus, and not to actually help the team win matches?

[Shaka]

I think it is down to the mentality of Pakistanis as a whole. One of the reasons I've always been such a staunch supporter of Taufeeq Umar and Asim Kamal is precisely because they have a lot of discipline and are prepared to dig in for the long haul. Unfortunately, Taufeeq is looking out of sorts these days, nothing like the player from a year or so ago. Did anyone hear Amir Sohail commenting after Taufeeq played a glorious on drive "Now that's the Taufeeq we all know!" Two balls later he was out trying to flick one over midwicket.

Maranello mentions the revolving door policy, you only have to look at how people start calling for heads of young guys like Salman Butt after a couple of low scores, never mind he just had a great tour of Australia. Afridi and Yasir Hameed could well end up opening in the next test match and what they have going for them is their natural confidence. But for me, neither have shown the application to go on and make a big score once they get a start, that's why I still think long term the likes of Taufeeq and Salman Butt are going to have better careers, unless, Hameed in particular, stops giving his wicket through sloppy attitude. I think Woolmer is starting to slowly get the guys to focus on playing 5 day cricket though. We are becoming noticeably more resilient and less cavalier in our attitude.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Shaka

We are becoming noticeably more resilient and less cavalier in our attitude.

Seems every cricketing nation is finally realising that this is critical: the days when contrasting approaches coulld be found in the game strike me as gone - everyone's turning seriously professional.. with the same idea of what that means.

Easier for countries with better 1st class games though....

[Shaka]

Rachael, Pakistan has always been known for producing off the cuff players which is great for the spectators, but incredibly annoying for the coach I suspect. Players like Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi and others have often been perservered with on account of their flashy strokeplay, while in all honesty, there has been some serious talent like Mohammed Wasim and Hasan Raza who were far better suited to test cricket and have been left by the wayside. Asim Kamal is 28, the fact he wasn't even considered until now speaks volumes of the selection policy. Not that there won't be a place for the odd maverick in the test team. Shahid Afridi was opening today and hammered a quick 29 before attempting to hit the 4th boundary in an over and bringing the curtain down on yet another brief blaze of glory.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Shaka

Rachael, Pakistan has always been known for producing off the cuff players

Surely true also of the WI.. but they have stuck with Chanderpaul and Collymore :-)

[Shaka]

And don't they look a better team for it?!

[Paoli]

Well, another fine post Maranello, Pakistan certainly do have a reformed attitude...It started to show in Melbourne I believe, but collapsed to pieces in the second innings...In Sydney, at 1/150, the boys should've gone on with it but failed. Here, in Kolkata, an M Waugh- S Waugh stand by the two Y's has seen Pakistan in a possible winning position.

Kamal looks a great prospect, and I think dropping Butt is a good idea, just so his head doesn't get too big. Great tactics, and let's hope Pakistan win this one so we can have a beauty of a last test...

[Shaka]

Well, looks like they have reverted to form, contriving to turn what should have been a healthy lead into a deficit.