Decisions in Pakistan sports are made by an individual, who is usually "guided" by some hand-picked "experts". In their efforts to bring "revolutionary changes" in the games' controlling bodies and improvement in the standard of the games, they usually reverse the decisions taken by their predecessors.
When their so-called improvement plans bounce back, they, if not removed, blame the players for the humiliations and constitute inquiry committees to analyse the causes of debacles in any important international event. But they do not bother to look at their flaws in their own misdoings, which led to humiliation after humiliation.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is a classic example of individualism, a product of five-year-old ad hocism, where tall claims of reorganisation of administrative set-up, enforcement of discipline and restructuring of the team are made, but no lesson is learnt from the past experiences.
The system continues till the change of hands. Once a cricket analyst said jokingly: "For years, the PCB chiefs are appointed on a single consideration - they are all well-connected people, who owe their plush and prestigious position to the personal relationship with the leadership of the country.
"As long as the political leadership remains unchanged, the PCB chiefs enjoy unlimited and absolute power and remain beyond accountability. So secure in their position, they hardly have to perform to keep their job," he said.
Players power
Soon after taking over as the Chairman, PCB Ad hoc Committee in October 1999, Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia (retd) announced that he wanted to make a difference in the governance of the PCB, but contrary to his claims, he too succumbed to the tactics of those who have tied their own survival and staked their reputation to the success of a few chosen players. In the process they pampered some players, which resulted in supremacy of players power.
True, Tauqir Zia, during his over three-year tenure, has done a lot for the improvement of cricket infrastructure, including renovation and improvement of facilities in the existing stadia, built new cricket grounds and established coaching academies at regional level and a National Coaching Academy at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, but he did least for the improvement of the game.
During his days, the associations remained inactive. Though he had cordial relationship with the association leaders, he did not dare restore the PCB constitution and allow the associations to hold election, as those who were around him were afraid of the accountability by the elected Council and the General Body.
The post-2003 World Cup scenario saw another change when former diplomat Shaharyar replaced Tauqir Zia. But the things remained unchanged as Shaharyar Khan preferred to maintain the status quo, obviously on the advice of those who are glued to their seats since long.
Defeats are part of the game. The nation too is very well aware of this fact, but cannot swallow defeat by the Indians, that too on their own soil. Pakistan's poor performance against India in the recent series has opened floodgates of criticism from every quarter of the society, including the Senate Committee on Sports, which questioned the administrative capabilities and expertise of the PCB bosses, including Chairman Shaharyar Khan and Chief Executive Ramiz Raja.
Bad boys in team
Unlike Tauqir Zia, who own the responsibility of Pakistan's dismal performance in the 2003 World Cup and his failure to tame to "bad boys" in the team, honourably quit as PCB Chairman, but the present bosses, despite public condemnation and media criticism are waiting for the day when they are shown the door, of course with disgrace.
Cricket critics are demanding of the PCB bosses to follow in the footsteps of Tauqir Zia, who helped Pakistan improve its grading in the world ranking from number seven to two, but Shaharyar and his "wise men" again brought Pakistan to number seven slot.
Disturbing
The situation is quite disturbing not only for the cricket fans, but also the officials of the defunct associations, who joined hands and are demanding of the PCB Chief Patron, President Pervez Musharraf, to order end to the ad hocism, restore the PCB constitution, paving the way for the long-waited elections in the associations.
The associations' action committee said since the PCB constitution had no provision of the posts of Chief Executive and Treasurer, the two posts should, therefore, be abolished, as the men occupying these posts were running the Board affairs unconstitutionally under the patronage of the Chairman.
Recently, Shaharyar had announced that he wanted to restore the constitution, hold elections in the association as early as possible and run the Cricket Board affairs on democratic lines.
Reacting to the PCB chief's desire, a top official of Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) said would the people around him (Shaharyar) let him put the last nail in their own coffin as the prevailing system suits them most.
He said the PCB chief and his advisors should read the writing on the wall as the associations were not in a mood to allow them to destroy the very fabric of the game.
Meanwhile, all is well in the PCB headquarters and the Grade conscious Manager, Public Relations and Protocol, has demanded the same facilities and benefits as enjoyed by her predecessor, Samiul Hassan.
Interestingly, the PCB has invited applications through a newspaper advertisement for post of Manager, Media, Protocol and Public Relations, but without waiting for any response to the advertisement, the PCB bosses hired a lady, who claims to be a Grade 19 official, from the Federal Information Ministry to look after the PCB media department.
Since both the PCB Chairman and Chief Executive are attending the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in London, a final decision would taken on their return.
So things are not very clear and no body knows who is doing what and for whose benefit - certainly not for the benefit of cricket.