Faheem Ashraf, a prominent player for the Pakistan cricket team, recently shared insights into the cricketing landscape in Pakistan, particularly focusing on the state of umpiring in domestic competitions.
Responding to questions about the controversial officiating in the domestic Champions Cup while playing for the Dolphins, Ashraf highlighted an interesting dynamic between players and umpires. He noted that in domestic cricket, umpires often develop friendships with players, which can influence their decisions.
He lamented the departure of competent umpires from the domestic scene, leading to a decline in officiating standards that typically go unnoticed due to the lack of television coverage. Ashraf pointed out that in domestic matches, players sometimes misrepresent their status, with batters claiming they are not out when they are, and bowlers asserting the opposite.
However, the Champions Cup, with its broadcast, has brought the quality of umpiring into public scrutiny. He remarked, “Good or bad, everyone knows now,” urging those responsible for appointing umpires to reassess who is fit for each level of play.
In a candid moment, Ashraf remarked on the friendships that exist between players and umpires in domestic cricket, suggesting that these relationships can lead to leniencies. He humorously noted that sometimes umpires even request players’ phone numbers. In contrast, he emphasized that such friendships do not exist in the Champions Cup, where every decision is scrutinized under the watchful eye of the audience.
The Call for Higher Standards in Domestic Officiating
Additionally, Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s head coach for white-ball formats, stressed the importance of aligning the domestic game with the standards of international cricket. He convened a meeting with mentors and head coaches of the teams participating in the Champions Cup in Faisalabad. Notable figures such as Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis were present. The discussions revolved around various cricketing aspects, alongside high-performance coach David Reid and Nadeem Khan, the Director of High Performance and the Champions Cup.
Kirsten’s vision seeks to create a unified approach to the game, ensuring that the quality of play at the domestic level reflects the demands and standards seen in international competitions, ultimately fostering success for the Pakistan cricket team.
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