Bari lauds team’s qualification

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief operating officer Wasim Bari expressed his concerns over Pakistan’s fielding but believed that credit must go to the team that somehow bounced back in time, in the World Twenty20 to qualify for the semi-finals.

“It’s a young team,” said Bari, at a press conference for the announcement of the official sponsors of Pakistan Cricket. “Although performance, as yet, is not satisfactory.” Bari however admitted that Pakistan, despite being world champions of the format, have failed to make the impact that was expected of them. “I am just afraid of Pakistan’s fielding,” said Bari. “If we look at Australia, they have a strong pace attack and are the best fielding side, two things which helped them so far.

But when we look at Pakistan, though have a high quality spin attack, but are missing the fielding factor.” Pakistan so far, have had an unconvincing performance throughout their campaign to defend their tile but Monday’s victory against South Africa and England’s timely triumph over New Zealand pushed Pakistan into the semi-finals. Now Pakistan will face Group F wunners. “Performance was below expectations,” admitted Bari, “Once the chips are down, it’s always difficult to take a step back.”

Selection blame game

Bari further clarified that the PCB will not take any action against Shahid Afridi’s recent statements, following the team’s defeat to New Zealand but endorsed the idea of having a proper review system to rate various elements of the team’s performance after the end of tournaments.

Afridi had said that he had not been consulted while the team was selected as the captain and coach were announced after the final squad was picked. “This is not the right time to do anything (against any player). I agree that there should be a review system but it should not be launched in the middle of any event.”

Published in the Express Tribune, May 12th, 2010.