Commenting on different players’ performance, one of the national team selectors stated that Kamran Akmal was more adept in the batting department rather than in his primary role as the wicket-keeper. PHOTO: AFP
At a time when the Pakistan team is being severely criticised for its performance at the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in the UK, vultures began circling the country’s cricket board as well.
Calls for the resignation of the entire team management and selection committee accompanied by demands to overhaul the squad have gained momentum.
However, Zaka Ashraf, suspended as PCB chairman, distanced himself from the team’s pathetic show. The 60-year-old, in response to a query that he was still the PCB chairman when the Pakistan team was preparing for the Champions Trophy, said that the individuals on the field were responsible for their show in the ongoing tournament.
“I have nothing to do with the team’s performance,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “It depends on the individual players’ performance.
“Moreover, I’m restrained by the court and as such I am not involved in such affairs. [But] the court hasn’t given its final ruling yet.”
‘Selectors not responsible’
Despite the poor show, it seems as if no one wants to take responsibility as a selector said there were hardly any flaws in team selection.
“Imran Farhat won his place by performing well in South Africa and in domestic cricket,” said the selector. “Shoaib Malik’s experience was required in the absence of seasoned campaigners including Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi, who were dropped after demands from the captain.
“Misbah had faith in Malik and we had to accept it because Younus and Afridi struggled in South Africa.”
On Kamran Akmal, he said, “Sadly, there is no better wicket-keeper option. Akmal’s batting credentials are better.”
On Abdul Razzaq’s snub, the selector said the all-rounder did not give any proof of his form and fitness as he stayed away from domestic cricket despite repeated calls for participation.
“The selectors have no obsession in occupying their seats but they are not responsible for the failure.. Even chief selector [Iqbal Qasim] wanted to quit after completing his year in March but he was stopped by the PCB chairman.”
“The team management – captain and coaches should be blamed as their wrong decisions cost the team.”
‘Coaches main culprit’
Meanwhile, former PCB chief Khalid Mehmood agreed that coaches need to be questioned on the team’s show.
“Selectors did not have many options. What difference could Afridi and Younus make.
“Secondly, nobody applauds the chairman when the team wins. Similarly, the board chief shouldn’t be answerable for the team’s bad performance.
“The coaches are entirely responsible for the failure and they should be questioned for their conduct.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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players selected on domestic performance means nothing in the international circuit.when these players like of Farhat Malik Kamran plays domestic cricket ,they faces the local bowler who are awed by these names and they try their heart out to get their wickets and in doing so fall short of good length bowling as such.But the bowlers go above their capability by trying to bowl faster and faster and spinners trying doosra or such.hence they fail miserably.this comes out in favor of the big names and they scores heavily.No sir bring on untested ones and give them a chance.
Imran Farhat has scored 443 runs in the last 17 Innings at the avg of 26.2 and a strike rate of 69. Selectors you have set yourself some very high standards. Shame on yourself selectors.
@Charlie Chapatti
When will this country will rid itself of this idiotic tribal mentallity and assess merit itself?? Dear Sir, 'pious', 'religious' these are very important and powerful words. You should not be so dismissive of them. If you remember, last time we were performing well, we have some pious senior players in our team like Inzamam, Yusuf etc. and before them Saeed Anwar, Shaqlin etc. These senior players used to bring a calming influence among the team members, especially juniors. I can never over emphasise the importance of staying calm when facing Styen (Dale), especially if the batsman is Imran Farat. Same applies to Akmal Sr. when he wears the keeping gloves. Sir, the key is to be able to concentrate. And nothing increases your power to concentrate as 'prayer' does. Only a pious, religious person can lead the players in their prayers and in turn lead to their success. The players in those days used to offer sazda too, right in the middle of the ground. You must have watched it on TV. I accept, merit is important, but sir, for "merit' to have its reward, it has to have 'blessings' on top of it, below it and around it. Merit triumphs only when it is covered with blessings from all sides. It is the 'blessings' that will save our batters from missing the line or length, from fishing outside the off stump, from hooking when out of balance and so on. And 'Blessings' do not come free, one has to pay for it, no..no...no, not by cash (you know, there is too many 'News of the World' in this world) but by 'prayer'. That's the currency for blessings. That's what a 'pious' coach can bring on the table. One last thing. You seem to look down upon tribal mentality, but Sir, the greatest and the best thing in this life and in afterlife is a gift thereof.
@Charlie Chapatti:
Ever heard about sarcasm!
@Rashid: Pious Muslim Coaches??? What on earth does being a pious Muslim have to do with being a competent coach?? If you truly want improvement then you have to get the best regardless of religious beliefs. When will this country rid itself of this idiotic tribal mentality and assess merit instead??
Selectors are to be blamed, if you want a good team then stop selecting your inlaws and out laws, you people dont select team on its mirts, its family's and friends. Stop blaming the team and the coach, its time to get rid of ur friends and relatives who are in the team to make up the numbers.
The same coach did wonders with Sri Lankan team. Anyway that's a different story. We need pious Muslim coaches. Inzamam, Saeed Anwar, Shaqlin Mustaq come to mind.
@GhostRider: He did scored 90+ in one game ( fourth ODI probobaly) and he also hit Styen over his head for a six which is enough for a permanent place in next few years. :)
@Asghar Ali: You can't miss the main culprit, prince Imran Farhat.
STop thinking about Younis, Afridi and Razzaq but why wasnot Haris Sohail, Afaq Raheem, Shoaib Maqsood and Navid Yasin having 40+ avg not selected? I think you should have understood now that skill is more important than experience in Experience !!!!
Imran Farhat was selected on the basis of his performance in South Africa!!!! Please elaborate those performances...as far as i remember they would ve been something like 0,2,12,0,5,0,1.
Plz get rid of Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal. No need for Iqbal Qasim and company to resign. Selectors have to accept demands from captain
enough of Iqbal Qasim. He should now go home.
Selectors, Agreeed Younis Khan and Afridi were out of form but why Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam were not selected. Instead Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik and Kamaran Akmal were selected.