Players to blame for team’s problems: Intikhab

Manager believes giving media interviews adds to issues.

KARACHI:

Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam has revealed that many controversies that have plagued the country’s cricket are due to the interference of certain players in the team management, as well as their tendency to leak confidential information to the media, which contributed to a divisive culture within the team.

For the past three years Pakistan cricket has suffered from a significant player turnover, with nine captaincy changes. In addition, the spot-fixing controversy where three players received lengthy bans. Alam said that tendency to reveal everything to the media has led to many issues recently.

“There were times when 15 minutes after a team meeting television channels were running tickers about things that happened or were discussed in the meeting,” said Alam. “There are many things that are not for public and media consumption and when they are leaked it creates problems within the team.

“There’s a need for players to sit down and discuss everything including reservations with the management. These things have damaged Pakistan cricket and are not good for our image.”

Alam further said that the Pakistan Cricket Board had taken a strong line against the players, forced some out and tried to change the culture over the past year.

“We’re trying to set things right now and developing a more positive culture.

“We’ve also tried reforming and reasoning with the players and they are now responding well which is good.”

The former leg-spinner, who was coach from October 2008 to March 2010 before being appointed manager, admitted he had been critical of the team’s culture in his reviews.

“Whatever I’ve written in my reports is based on facts and what I honestly believe is true and is my own personal assessment of the players.

“If I try to hide these things I’m not helping Pakistan cricket or these players. The truth must come out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2011.