While most of the cricket enthusiasts want changes in the team left right and centre, Aqib advises the authorities deal with the problem cautiously. PHOTO: AFP
Contrary to calls demanding a massive overhaul of the national squad following their dismal show at the ICC Champions Trophy, former bowling coach Aqib Javed has advised the authorities to take one step at a time.
Although the current head coach of the UAE team shares the general disappointment of the nation after the team lost all its three matches, the former fast-bowler refused to predict the future based on the present scenario.
“The overall performance was heartbreaking but it’s not a panic situation at all,” Aqib – a part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning team – told The Express Tribune. “There is a need for sensible decisions.
“The selectors or the board should not opt for wholesale changes,” added the former pacer when asked whether it was time to start build a team for the World Cup 2015 by introducing new talented faces.
“There should be a realistic approach. The World Cup is far away and the team will have to play important series before that. A massive overhaul won’t be in the team’s interest.”
However, Aqib suggested dropping all-rounder Shoaib Malik, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and opener Imran Farhat — the three failing miserably with the bat.
“In my opinion, Pakistan can start their repair job by dropping these three and never look back to them again. Similarly, we shouldn’t be concerned with players like Shahid Afridi who were already dropped on the basis of poor performance.
“Ahmed Shehzad is the right player to replace Farhat while Umar Amin is an ideal alternate for Malik. I also suggest that it’s time for the authorities to find a new wicket-keeper to replace Kamran — someone other than Sarfraz Ahmed and Adnan Akmal. I am sure we will find enough options.
“The rest of the team is good. Our bowling – especially the pace attack – was up to the mark. Our batsmen failed to sustain pressure and cope with changes in conditions. Coaches need to work on these areas.”
Aqib was also against calls to remove head coach Dav Whatmore. “If it was a mistake to appoint Whatmore, it will be a bigger blunder to sack him now. Let him finish his tenure and hear from him if he was free in implementing his plans.”
On the lack of quality back-up players, the former coach said there was an immediate need of giving more exposure to the Pakistan ‘A’ team.
“Organising bilateral series for Pakistan ‘A’ on a regular basis is the only way to get quality players.”
‘Tough decisions need to be made’
On the other hand, former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed had a different view.
“There should be accountability of the coaches and it’s time to act. Our team’s performance was embarrassing and there’s a need for remedial work.
“The tour selection committee didn’t avail resources well. For example, our left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman was not utilised on conditions where similar bowlers like Ravendra Jadeja of India succeeded.
“The entire team management failed to read the conditions. Now it’s time to take some tough decisions for the team’s betterment.”
Salahuddin also felt that Afridi and Younus Khan need to be given a few more chances.
“I feel we needed veterans Afridi and Younus for such a big tournament and it was a mistake not to send them as they have experience to sustain pressure. They should be given more chances in the future.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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oh God please...don't talk about the same thing again and again. PCB is NOT facing any financial crisis except for corruption. everyone in the team is a relative of someone and that's the reason for the dismal performance. Captain needs to be trained to lead and inspire the team. Playing your own game is NOT enough to do well in a high profile series. Rightly said, the likes of Malik, Farhat and Akmal...they all should be banned from the playing 11 at any cost. Give new Kids more and more exposure and try to train them.
I fully agree with aqib. Pcb should consider his suggestions seriously! Mr. salahuddin please............. aqib is more right in everyway then you.
It must also be galling for Pakistani cricketers that amongst all the test playing nations their income from the PCB is the lowest barring Bangladesh. This reflects poorly on the proud history of Pakistan cricket.
Also some boards (Australia, India and Sri Lanka) also give their players a percentage of the boards takings this is certainly worth looking at as the players have a stake in the success of the sport, albeit that right now is probably not the best time economically for the PCB.
The above should all be performance related of course but in my view would send a clear message of the fact that the players are appreciated. Some of these players are of international cricketers of rare talent and having such publicly law income is criminal.
It would be incumbent for the PCB to make the first move on this but should it do so I think that it would reap rich reward.
@Ammar: want a bet.he will fail miserably.no foot work,which is a must on seaming and bouncy wicket.on sub continent he will flourish,no doubt.secondly he is selfish not self less,remember Australian tour a few years back.
Agree with Aqib here .. Drop Farhat and Malik and give more chances to Asad Shafiq .. bring back umar akmal .. why pakistanis dont think out of the box ? Umar Akmal shud be played up the order one down or opener even .. Please dont bring Afridi younis razzak back .. one should think ahead now ...
Well I think major flaw in the Pakistan team was selection of players who were more suited to test format. I mean we dont have to play bowlers like Irfan, Junaid, Wahab and even Saeed Ajmal who cant bat. The best Pakistani ODI outfit which i have seen represent the country was the team of 1999 world cup. We had a bowling attack of Wasim Akram, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq. We used to bat down to 9 almost. With Wasim, Moin, Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood all capable of making quick runs in the end. Many are suggesting complete overhaul of batting department, to which i agree to a certain extent. But the composition of team has to be looked into as well. Brining in more utility cricketers llike Hammad Azam, Ali Khan and Abdur Rahman into the fold. Take South Africa for example, they dont play Vernon Philander in ODIs and T20s even though he is a good bat also. Why? because they dont need to. Bresnen is preferred by England ahead of Stephen Finn who i think is a better bowler but not a good batsman as compared to Bresnen. So you dont have to play your best bowling attack in every format of the game. You need to find a combination of player who may not be as high profile as Saeed Ajmal or Muhammad Irfan but can be useful with both bat and bowl in different conditions. The Selectors and Management have to sit down find formula to field a team. Like for position 1 to 6 all those betsman with reasonable techniques have to be selected who can score more than 80 runs per hundred bowls. 7 is for the keeper who should be able to score quick 30 in 20 bowls. On number 8 and if possible till number 9 the bowler should be able to hit sixes at the death overs. 10-11 should be specialist bowlers. All the good teams are thriving on this formula. Its time that we should also follow the suite.
@Ahmer Khan: Come on guys, afridi, younus, shoaib, akmal, misbah, these are the same names we keep hearning everytime. One goes out other comes in.
Is there no talent in Pakistan other than them?
Aqib's makes sense here. But Afridi and Younus should be given another chance
Hindsight is a wonderful thing Mr Salhuddin, perhaps had they gone and failed, many would have jeered at taking them in the first place.