Following two consecutive defeats in the Tests and One-day International (ODI) series, first by South Africa at home and then by arch rivals India in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to answer certain questions, particularly those relating to the management affairs.
It is always easy to hold a formidable rival at home by gaining advantage of home field, fans and atmosphere, but to defeat India, with perfect balanced side, at their soil was a formidable task.
Since the beginning of the series, Pakistan were in difficulties. Notwithstanding the injuries that afflicted a number of players, their body language spoke of confidence and lack of commitment and determination throughout the tour.
Pakistan's dismal performance in the Test and ODI series has opened floodgates of criticism not only in Pakistan, but also in India. The fact is that the Pakistan fielded weakest-ever side against India, which lost the Test and ODI series to India after 24 years. Those who banked on partially or half-fit side, must draw a better lesson from this series.
Although, bowlers toiled hard to get India under pressure, the lethargy of the fielders enabled Indian batsmen to pile up massive scores.
They waited for the ball to reach them, which gave the batsmen time to make a single. Dropped catches and defective placement of fielders added to Pakistan's woes.
LOUSY AND CARELESS:
No doubt, Mohammad Yousuf is an outstanding batsman and backbone of Pakistan batting line-up, but as fielder, he was found careless. He and other fielders, especially in slip positions, dropped a number of catches.
However, it is heartening to note that Salman Butt regained form on Indian tour. It is hoped that he would try hard to maintain his skills with the willow to face future challenges. But the most encouraging was the consistent performance of Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal in the middle order.
While Salman Butt showed some confidence, his partner Yasir Hameed could not provide support and continued to throw his wickets cheaply because of his faulty foot work. He was simply unable to tackle Anil Kumble, who took full advantage of the batsman's defective technique.
Our seamers, including speedster Shoaib Akhtar, bowled well when they pitched good length deliveries, which enabled them to take wickets, but when they tended to send short of length balls they were punished ruthlessly. Had they maintained line and length and bowled wicket-to-wicket they could have stopped their hosts from accumulating huge totals.
It was surprising to see Danish Kaneria bowling his leg spin round the wicket, thus allowing Indian batsmen to play their shots with flair. At no stage did the bowlers show any signs of aggression, which was badly needed in the Test Series.
The fact is that the team lacked the depth in batting and bowling. It seemed that there was a lack of coordination between the touring team management and the selection committee. However, Indian tour has exposed the mental toughness and lack of determination of the players. Moreover, there was complete lack of coordination and togetherness in the team.
YOUNUS CHANGES HEART:
Meanwhile, it is interesting to listen from Younus Khan that he is willing to captain the team, but only after clarifying certain issues with the PCB.
On the contrary, PCB Chairman Ashraf is adamant not to replace Shoaib Malik, whose tenure as captain of the national team has been extended for another year. However, Younus Khan's willingness, of course with certain conditions that he has put forward, and PCB chief's approach to cricket affairs speak a lot about the mindset of those who are tackling the cricket affairs according to their whims and caprices.
Captaincy became an issue during the Test series when Younus said he was not happy with the way he had been asked to lead the side. According to him, he reluctantly led the team in the last two drawn Tests at Kolkata and Bangalore.
He said he had his own way of playing cricket and leading the side. "If the team can do well under my captaincy, I would be very happy but I am not asking anyone for the job".
Younus Khan is reported to have said if he was made captain, he would make the team a perfect winning side with in six months. "Now the ball is in the court of the PCB to decide", he said.
It may be recalled that former Test stars such as former captains Imran Kahn, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akaram and Waqar Younus are of the view that only Younus Khan is the right replacement of Inzamam-ul-Haq, as he has the guts and potential to lead Pakistan team, but the PCB chief's not in a mood to take into consideration the views of former Test stars.
Reacting to harsh criticism from former Test stars that there was no place of Shoaib Malik in the team, the PCB chief said if skippers were changed after every two or three matches, a strong team could never be formed.
Dr Nasim Ashraf said Misbah-ul-Haq played well in the Indian tour, but Kamran Akmal, though batted well, was not good behind the stumps. On bowling, he said it was weak because of injuries.
Pinning hopes on coach Jeoff Lawson, he said the coach was very well aware of the problems of attitude, mental toughness, and said: "We have to work on mental fitness of our players. If the coach needs, the board would also provide a psychiatrist".
The PCB said three camps would be arranged for talented players. The camp for wicketkeepers would be held in Karachi under the supervision of former captain Rashid Lateef, while the second camp would be held for openers and third for fast bowlers. He was full of praise for Salman Butt, but not happy with Mohammad Yousaf's performance in the Indian tour.
PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf has repeatedly stressed on discipline both on and off the field, and warned of severe action against those who indulged in objectionable extra-cricket activities, bringing bad name to cricket and the country.
But he should know that enforcement of discipline at grassroots level will be an exercise in futility. To begin with, he needs to maintain discipline in the top brass of PCB. This sorrow state of affairs is an eye-opener for PCB top brass. They are required to plan a long-term policy. A lot of damage has been done to the most popular game of the country in the last nine year under ad hoc administration. The present management has hardly contributed anything except implementation of "new constitution" and some monetary benefits to players and top officials in the Cricket Board.
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