National Servants Ft. Pakistan Cricket Board

Ever heard the phrase “good to great”? Well, it seems to be quite unpopular among our national team. Making it to the national team should not be the ultimate goal— the real achievement lies in leaving a legacy for future generations to follow, just like Ricky Ponting or MS Dhoni.

Pakistani Mentality

Every player acts as a national servant, contributing to their country’s duty. It’s a hard truth, but players need to realize that while they are stars, they are still human, entrusted with the responsibility of making the nation proud rather than focusing on individual glory. Making it to the team is just the beginning; the real sacrifice begins afterwards because that’s how great stories are made. Raw talent only gets you to the team—your dedication and sacrifice determines whether you can survive and thrive in the system.

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In Pakistan, players are often idolized to the point where they believe they are bigger than the nation and irreplaceable because they have achieved certain awards or broken specific records. But what they need to understand is that they are competing against nations that bring their best to the field. If you are unfit or have overstayed your welcome to the point where you’ve become a liability, then you are no longer an asset to the team.

From the grassroots level, it should be instilled in players’ minds that the nation doesn’t owe them anything if they aren’t performing. If you play well, you earn love and respect; if you don’t, you are rightfully criticized. You aren’t working for a private company that owes you loyalty for your efforts. Your performance should speak for itself, not your PR. As the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes said, “Sentiment is a chemical defect found on the losing side,” and sadly, we as Pakistanis have become way too familiar with losing and forming a cult for players.

Larger than life mindset

The achievements of teams like Australia, India, and England are rooted in their players’ amazing mindsets and their willingness to put the nation above personal sentiments. If players like Ben Stokes, Virat Kohli, or Rohit Sharma were playing for Pakistan, they would still be playing T20 cricket until they could no longer walk, only to retire at the last minute before a crucial tournament—leaving the team scrambling to rebuild with inexperienced talent.

Cricket is a livelihood for many, and that’s why league and franchise cricket exists for those who are past their prime or not good enough to continue at the international level – in addition to scouting new talent. The use of PR to secure a spot on the national team is the height of self-interest. No player is bigger than the team. Playing for, or captaining the national team, should be considered a privilege and when an opportunity is given it should be cashed in.

All in the head

Fans need to understand that cricket is a team sport where everyone—from the water boy to the coach—is as crucial as the captain. A prime example of this is Pat Cummins, currently considered the best captain in the world, who served as the water boy in the recent World Cup when his team needed him to do so. Contrast that with how Pakistani social media reacted when one of our captains took on the same role—bringing different agendas into play rather than understanding that he too is a national servant serving Pakistan just like the others, and that should be considered an honor too.

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Success and failure are part of daily life—a hard pill to swallow, but essential for growth. Players need to have the courage to accept their mistakes without letting ego get in the way. Then work on becoming better versions of themselves, just as Ben Stokes has done, and let their achievements and numbers speak for them.

“Pewasta Rahe Shajr Se Umeed-e-Bahar Rakh”

Why has Australia always succeeded? Is it because they have better raw talent than us? Or is it because of their mentality? Jake Fraser-McGurk, a young rookie, gave a solid statement after being left out of Australia’s 2024 World Cup squad in favor of David Warner. He said he still feels he is yet to earn his place in the Australian team and believes his time will come, but he needs to prove himself more. What would a Pakistani player do in a similar situation? Call Tabish Hashmi?

Is the Pakistan cricket team unstructured and based on “dosti yaari,” or is it a well-oiled machine whose parts can be easily replaced when both fans and players adopt a mentality focused on the betterment of the team?

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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