Raised expectations

Abu Dhabi Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Wasim Bari is the Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer. Since his playing days he has been involved in the promotion of the game in Pakistan and was even the head of the selection committee.

In an interview with Gulf News, Bari spoke about the factors that will help Pakistan reach the top and the transition that has come about in the art of wicketkeeping.

GUlf News: How do you find the present Pakistan team? Does it have the talent to reach the top?

Wasim Bari: It is a very good team but it lacks consistency. On their day they can give a good fight to any team. In my opinion, what we are lacking is smart cricket. The players are immensely talented and they can win consistently only if they play smart cricket.

Why is it that there is lack of consistency despite most of the players being experienced?

I think it has more to do with mental discipline. This is an area we have to improve to gain consistency.

Do you think wicketkeeping has undergone huge changes over the years?

There is a different demand on wicketkeepers now. Today wicketkeepers need to be a batsman-wicketkeeper than a wicketkeeper-batsman. That is why you see wicketkeepers in a different role. My period was an era of wicketkeepers. We had Rodney Marsh, Syed Kirmani, Jeff Dujon, Alan Knott and Bob Taylor. Now a wicketkeeper can be in the team only if he is a good batsman. The whole game is undergoing a change because it now demands that all batsmen should also be able to bowl and if you are bowler, you should bat, too. There is no concept of tail enders anymore.

How different is the present player's approach from the time you played international cricket?

Cricket has changed. It is more commercial and there is of course the glamour of T20 cricket. During our time there were only One-day internationals and Test matches. There is more cricket now and it is important for the players to be absolutely fit. It is also difficult to adjust to the different forms of the game. Now there is more reward from the game hence a lot of demand on the players.

How do you find playing your home series at a neutral venue like the UAE?

It is good that Pakistan cricketers are able to play though commercially it is not viable. It is a temporary phase and we hope to get over it.

What about India-Pakistan series being played in a neutral venue?

Our chairman had some talks with Indian cricket board officials regarding this matter. Cricket is a bridge between the two countries and will be a bounding factor. The game in the subcontinent will benefit if the series is held. I think there could be many options in this area like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, and even T20 matches between the two countries in United States or even South Africa. We need to explore all possibilities.

How have you been enjoying the role as a cricket administrator?

I feel that people with passion for the game can contribute to the development of the game. I played cricket for a long time and so I like to contribute in one way or other. I had a career in management with an airline and I like dealing with people. I can add value and participate in helping the game. I love to enjoy what I do and I have a great passion for the game.