THE dust has settled on Perth, and while a spirited fight is no shame, the Pakistan cricket team’s ignominious defeat demands a critical introspection. The blame squarely rests on the think tank’s shoulders, with Team Director Muhammad Hafeez’s flawed game strategy and highly questionable selections like dropping Wasim Jr., Rizwan, and Hasan Ali, while opting for Sarfaraz, Faheem, and an unfit and unimpressive looking Shaheen Shah Afridi, playing a key role in the debacle.

However, despair is not an option. With two Tests remaining, Pakistan still holds the reins of its fate. Here are some top-priority suggestions for a glorious comeback:

Shake-up the leadership: Hafeez’s tenure stands on shaky ground. Replacing him immediately with a seasoned veteran like Javed Miandad, Mohsin Hasan Khan, or Aamir Sohail could inject the team with much-needed strategic finesse

Embrace the spin: Playing a part-time spinner is a sign of a defensive mindset which was always bound to backfire. Replace Agha Salman with one of the three genuinely skilled spinners in the squad – Ibrar Ahmad, Noman Ali, or Sajid Khan – to exploit this advantage which is already being done by the Australians.

Attack is the best defence: Timidity won’t win matches. Players like Imam-ul-Haq, with their slow scoring rate, don’t fit the aggressive mindset needed to conquer Australian soil.

A bold lineup for 2nd Test match at MCG (26-30 December 23): Here’s a proposed eleven poised for victory: 1. Abdullah Shafiq 2. Saim Ayub 3. Babar Azam 4. Shan Masood 5. Muhammad Rizwan 6. Saud Shakeel 7. Muhammad Wasim 8. An experienced spinner from the squad 8. Shahnawaz Dahani (replace Hasan Ali with his fiery 145 km/h pace to match Australia’s fire) 10. Aamir Jamal 11. Khurram Shahzad

Beyond tactics: The Power of Belief: The captain, manager and team director have a crucial role beyond strategy. They must instil unwavering belief in the players. Constantly remind them: you were born to win, and winning demands planning, preparation and unwavering expectation.

Embracing these suggestions and fostering a spirit of relentless optimism can rekindle the flame of Pakistani cricket and pave the way for a glorious comeback in Australia.

—The author writes on strategic, political, economic, current affairs & sports.

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views expressed are writer’s own.