Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq spoke about the areas that separate India from their South Asian counterparts Sri Lanka and Pakistan in international cricket.
Speaking to The Hindu Newspaper, Inzamam said that the IPL and India’s improved first class structure have played a huge role in the development of Indian cricket.
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“Until 2010, there was intense competition among these three teams. But over the last 10-12 years, India has improved its game immensely and has certainly gone ahead of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The credit goes to the IPL for sure, but I must admit that India has focused a lot on its first-class cricket structure and that has played a huge role in its development,” Inzamam said.
Inzamam said that though India has witnessed a huge development in their first-class cricket, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been struggling to develop their first-class cricket.
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“The associations have got money and the players have got world-class facilities – in terms of training. India is reaping benefits of its robust domestic structure, whereas Pakistan and Sri Lanka have not been able to develop their first-class cricket that much,” he added.
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“Earlier, touring sides struggled against the Australian team despite having top cricketers in their ranks. It was nearly impossible to beat Australia at home, but a bunch of youngsters from India actually did an incredible job by defeating the Aussies in their backyard. And that’s why, your first-class structure needs to be top notch – because it prepares you well. That is one area where Sri Lanka and Pakistan are slightly lagging behind.” Inzamam further said.
