Cricket

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) pitch curator, Tony Hemming, blaming him for the team's humiliating defeat in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi.Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, took to his YouTube channel to express his frustration over the pitch, which he described as "benign" and "unfit for Test cricket.""We thought the ball would spin on the second day, but it didn't happen even on the fifth day," Ali said. "The curator is from Australia, and he has been a part of the ICC as well. But he doesn't know how to prepare a pitch."Ali pointed to India as an example of how pitches should be prepared, saying that the Indian curators tailor the surfaces to suit their team's strengths."Look at India," Ali said. "The pitch is prepared the way they want to. They want to play spin, so they make the pitch spin. They want to play fast bowling, so they make the pitch fast."Ali's criticism comes after Pakistan's spinners failed to make an impact in the first Test. England's Shoaib Bashir managed to take just one wicket across both innings, while experienced Jack Leach relied on his skills rather than the surface to prove his effectiveness.Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled 35 overs, spilt 174 runs at an economy of 4.97 and went wicketless before being treated in the hospital after being taken ill. Saim Ayub and Samlan Ali Agha tasted success, but it came at the cost of leaking runs heavily.With Pakistan naming a spin-laden playing XI for the second Test in Multan, the pitch is expected to help out the spinners. However, Ali is skeptical, saying that he doesn't expect the surface to be any different from the one in Rawalpindi."I don't think the pitch in Multan will be any different," Ali said. "It will be the same flat, lifeless pitch. We will have to rely on our batsmen to score runs and our bowlers to take wickets on their own."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the quality of its pitches by appointing Tony Hemming, a renowned Australian curator, on a two-year contract. This marks the first time the PCB has offered a long-term contract to a foreign curator.Hemming, a native of Western Australia, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has worked with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and has over four decades of expertise in pitch and outfield management. His portfolio includes working on prestigious grounds such as Melbourne, Perth, and Hobart, as well as supervising tracks in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.The PCB has entrusted Hemming with the responsibility of improving the quality of pitches for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies. He will also oversee the preparation of pitches for the domestic season."Hemming will also oversee pitch preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan will host from 19 February to 9 March," the PCB stated in a press release.The appointment of Hemming is a testament to the PCB's commitment to providing world-class playing surfaces for its teams and international visitors. Hemming's expertise and experience will be invaluable in ensuring that Pakistan's pitches meet the highest standards and provide a fair and competitive environment for all.