“For me, it’s about how we can get our team to play more Tests. That comes down to planning, reducing gaps, and making sure we have consistent Test teams going forward. We play nine Tests in four months, but we’ve had to deal with an unfortunate calendar when we play there in Australia, then we play our next Test in ten months.
“If I speak the brutal truth, in home Test matches, because they are played at different times of the year and in different countries, we have not yet found our way of playing at home that matches our batting and bowling. , and the whole style.”
Shan Masood
That series – and the previous one with Australia – was played in lifeless venues, in stark contrast to the life that came to life when Tests first came back. With a new keeper – Tony Hemming – in place, that will be looked at again this season.
“In Test cricket, which is the biggest challenge in the game, you have to know certain situations,” said Masood. “Yes, since 2019 we are playing at home, but other teams have been playing at home for a long time.
“If I speak the brutal truth, in home Test matches, because they are played at different times of the year and in different countries, we have not yet found our way of playing at home that matches our batting and bowling. , and the whole style That is something we need immediately.
“We have to decide what helps us win as a team. How can we create situations that suit us best and put us in the driving position, rather than thinking about how we can face the opponents?”
There is evidence, as Masood said, that Pakistan have competed well in tougher conditions, when they have been able to rely on their fast bowlers, but Gillespie said it is still early days in terms of finding out who he is.
“I think the identity will sort itself out. This next season, seven of the nine Test matches are in Pakistan, which is fantastic,” said Gillespie. “I echo Shan’s sentiments – it would be good to play more Test cricket. The PCB is exploring ways to have more matches for the Shaheens (Pakistan A) and four-day cricket to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket. As for ownership and playing in Pakistan, there are different places and situations depending on whether you are in the north or south of the country I don’t think that will be solved right now play forward.
“But I firmly believe that we have all the bases, whether it’s fast bowling, slow bowling, or playing fast tracks, bounciers that give more help to the seamers, or low and slow pitches. We need to be flexible and adapt, but we will definitely be and a basic plan of how we want to play our games.”
The upcoming Pakistan series has already indicated that performance management has been a problem. A number of top players including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were not given NOCs to play in the leagues. Gillespie admitted it was a challenge to balance the demands of playing for Pakistan with the different financial opportunities available. But he said that the priority, especially for players who play multiple formats, is to play against Pakistan.
“There are challenges, no question,” he said. “We want to find a balance between representing Pakistan and not depriving the players of opportunities for experience. There are financial incentives for players to play overseas. I know there has been a lot of media talk recently about the decisions made by the PCB regarding the availability of players. .Shan touched on – there are nine Test matches in the next four months.
“That’s just Test cricket. There’s domestic cricket, white-ball cricket in 50-over and T20 formats, not just in Pakistan but around the world.
“We have many types of players, and we have to look after them as much as we can. The important thing is to represent Pakistan, but if there are opportunities – case by case – where a player can learn about their game and play better cricket, which will help them become a better cricketer for Pakistan, then we will look at those opportunities but we will not be in a situation where we compromise the team, in any way.
Osman Samiuddin is a senior editor at ESPNcricinfo
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