Former Pakistan cricketer Umar Gul lamented the lack of a ‘rotation policy’ in the country’s cricketing culture ahead of the IND vs PAK contest. The arch-rivals will lock horns on September 14 in what could be first out of many potential matches in Asia Cup 2025. Gul blamed Pakistan’s culture where seniors are compelled to play even if they aren’t fully fit just so that they don’t lose their spots to other players.
Pakistan’s problem flagged ahead of IND vs PAK
Speaking on PTV show Game On Hai, Gul stressed on the need for Pakistan to bring in the culture of rotation policy and the development of trust in the players. He stated that the country’s cricket will have to make it a priority to play a senior star only when he is completely fit.
“Unfortunately, in our (Pakistan cricket’s) system, in our culture, the problem is that when we also used to play, any senior player was hesitant. If he’s even 70-80% fit, he would say, ‘I want to play’. This was because if another player comes in and performs, then a rotation policy is not in our culture. We only look at the performance,” Gul stated.
Gul further claimed that both the players and the team management had a shared responsibility. Citing the example of Jasprit Bumrah and his workload management, the former Pakistan pacer credited the Indian system for having a proper policy in place, something which Pakistan lacked at the moment.
“I think India have a system. The rehab that the doctor tells you to do for six or five weeks, it means they are giving you an extra week so that you have a complete recovery. Plus, the most important thing is the rotation policy, right? Or we say that Bumrah is rested and is only played in World Cup or ICC events. So, the confidence that our premium bowler will be the first priority when he comes back after being fit,” Gul added.
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