SPORTS WORLD: Pakistan eclipse their lowest Test total record of 62 against Aussies

Pakistan have bettered their own Test record of lowest-ever 62 runs against Australia at Perth in 1981-82 by scoring 72 runs in the fourth innings at the same venue. Not only this, they also provided an opportunity to the hosts to beat the visitors by 491 runs -- the fourth biggest defeat of the Test cricket history -- of the fourth day of the first Test match.
The biggest win was achieved by England over Australia by 675 runs at Brisbane in 1928-29, followed by Australia beating England at The Oval by 562 runs in 1934. However, it was the fifth consecutive defeat Pakistan suffered at Perth.
However, one would ask Pakistan's British coach Bob Woolmer what would he say about the crumbling of Pakistan batting in the first as he claimed former captain and coach Javed Miandad does not know what he "is doing in the dressing room and does not understand what I'm doing or what I'm trying to do, so he's really saying things from outside."
However, what has been seen in the Perth Test is a testimony to Woolmer's claim as to what he is doing in the dressing room as no improvement in application, consistency, coaching strategy and the game plan against the world's number one team were witnessed. Even the flaws in the leadership were quite glaring.
Team's performance even against the Western Australia's second string is indicative of the coaching expertise of Woolmer, a player of just 16 Test matches, who during the last six months, did nothing concrete except for issuing statements, blaming the players for letting him down with their performance, and criticising others, including the media.
CRICKET CIRCLES PUZZLED: This attitude of the British coach has puzzled the cricket circles who question the nature of the job assigned to Woolmer by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB is trying to make people believe that the former England Test cricketer has been hired to coach the Pakistan team, but his off-and on statements in the media speak of his mindset -- to remain in the news.
In his recent outbursts, Woolmer did not spare Javed Miandad and the media for allegedly ridiculing his "coaching expertise."
He was angry over Miandad's reported views that Woolmer was ignorant of Pakistan's cricketing culture and he has yet to settle.
The British coach said: "He's not working with me, he's not in the dressing room, he doesn't understand what I'm doing or what I'm trying to do, so he's really saying things from outside."
Taking full advantage of team manager Haroon Rashid's weaknesses, who is shy of facing the media, it looks the PCB has authorised Woolmer to assume the responsibility of the team's spokesman and speak whatever he likes about the team.
OMAR KURESHI'S VIEWS: Even noted cricket commentator and columnist Omar Kureshi could not resist to comment on Woolmer's remarks that "Pakistan team is an unpredictable team," and reminded him that "we have known this for a long time and it was precisely this reason why a coach was hired to make the performance more consistent."
In his column in an English daily, Omar Kureshi said he did not know if Woolmer was the team's official spokesman, and added normally, it was the manager or the captain to spoke on behalf of the team.
"I don't recall reading any statement from Johan Wright, Duncan Fletcher or John Buchnan or any other coach on the performance of their team," said Omar Kureishi.
Referring to Woolmer's views that he saw some "positives" from the game against Western Australian Second Eleven, Omar Kureshi said this match did not deserve importance and "needlessly set off some alarm signals."
He, however, advised Woolmer to concentrate on his main job - to coach the team and get the best out of the players. "He will be judged by results and not by blame or apologies."
PERFORMANCE: Having a look at the team's performance, one may recall that since the start, Pakistan's batting was exposed when they could not deal with the accurate bowling of the Western Australia's second string. They failed to reach an easy target of 94 runs and just yielded 83 runs, losing the match by 10 runs.
This shows the brittleness of Pakistan's batting on a fast wicket against the second grade bowling. Only Younus Khan and Yousuf Youhana showed some resolute batting in both innings.
The worst was witnessed in the first Test. Pakistan won the toss and invited the Aussies to bat first. However, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's decision paid off temporarily when the visitors captured five early wickets for 70 odd runs, but the late order batsmen supported opener Justine Langer and carried the score to 381. Langer missed his fourth Test double century by just nine runs. He was followed by Gilchrist, who contributed 69 valuable runs in 78 balls.
Pakistan's bowling was a bit effective as speedster Shoaib Akhtar took five wickets for 99 runs, Mohammad Sami three for 104 and Abdul Razzaq two for 55.
But at this stage, Inzamam did a blunder when he introduced Dinesh Kanaria, who was treated by Langer and other Australian batsmen with contempt.
Pakistan's reply was disappointing and all the specialist batsmen went cheaply except Younus khan's brief resistance for 42. The 60 runs, ninth wicket partnership between Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami yielded some respect to the total.
The visitor's innings, which concluded at 179, gave Australia a lead of 202 runs. Kasprowicz took five wicket for 30 runs and Shane Warne three for 38.
This was the glaring example of lack of vision on the part of the captain, manager and the coach.
Though the follow-on was due, the hosts opted for batting to give rest to their bowlers. This time Pakistani bowlers failed to impress Australian batsmen. Despite getting Mathew Hayden out at 28, Langer was again on way to his second hundred of the match, but was unlucky to miss it by just three runs. However, Martin succeeded in getting exactly a hundred. Australia declared at 361 for five, and set a big target of 564.
In reply, the visitor could only last for 31.3 overs, and within 146 minutes they were all out for 72. Only Younus Khan and Yousuf Youhana could reach the double figures with 17 and 27 respectively.
Glen McGrath was the main destroyer of Pakistan's second innings. He returned with career best figure of eight for 24.
Pakistan's 72 are the fourth lowest innings total against Australia and in Test cricket too.
It is also surprising that the team selection committee has dropped all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, thus further weakening the batting line-up.
Inzamam should have preferred Shahid Afridi over Danish Kaneria. Shahid could have disturbed the Aussies batting with his speedy spin bowling. Similarly, inform Shoaib Malik deserved a place in the squad for the first Test.
LESSON FOR SECOND TEST: However, before going to the second Test at Melbourne cricket ground (MCG)from Sunday (December 26), the captain, coach and the players, especially the batsmen should keep in mind Pakistan's 1957-58 tour of West Indies.
In the first six-day Test match at Bridgetown, Pakistan faced similar situation when the Windies, in their first innings, piled a massive score of 579 for eight. In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for just 106 and followed on.
But in their second innings, a resolute and consistent batting averted an innings defeat by amassing 657 runs for eight.
In this very match Little Master Hanif Mohammad set a world record hammering unbeaten 337 runs. There were four partnership with opener Hanif Mohammad - opening partnership with Imtiaz Ahmed of 152 runs (Imtiaz hit 91), with Alimuddin (37 run) of 112 runs, with Saeed Ahmed (35) of 157 runs and with Wazir Mohammad (35) of 121 runs.
In this match Hasib Ahsan, Nasim-ul-Ghani and Saeed Ahmed made their debut in the Test cricket.
It is hoped that the captain and coach will inculcate the same spirit among the players, especially the batsmen, as exhibited by the team that toured West Indies in 1957-58.
Moreover, it is hoped that Woolmer will follow the advice of Omar Kureshi that concentrate on his main job - to coach the team and get the best out of the players, as he would be judged by results and not by blame or apologies.