Pakistan has four major weaknesses that prevents them from being a top Test team. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be anything/anyone on the horizon that will rectify this in the foreseeable future.

1. The perennial problem of not having a solid opening partnership, currently exacerbated even more by the lack of arguably the most important batting position in a Test lineup, the no. 3 batsman.

2. No reliable wicketkeeper/batsman. Not just simply someone who can do both well, but Pakistan don't even have anyone who is a quality batsman/ fair wicketkeeper, or a good, solid, reliable wicketkeeper/ half-decent batsman.

3. Lack of a genuine quality all-rounder, preferably someone who is medium/fast.

4. A tail far, far too long. Exacerbated by points 2 & 3 above.

If it was only one, or at maximum, two, of the areas mentioned above, then perhaps they could still compete consistently with the best. But with those four weaknesses, not a chance.

Discuss.