The Pakistan Cricket Board desperados fixing Pakistan cricket

Desperate times certainly call for desperate measures but certainly not by desperate people asking even more desperate people to manage the affairs. 

Because the tour squad has to be approved by the PCB Chairman and we all know the power he wields, I don’t see the acquiescent Mohsin taking him on over a selectee.

Within the committee there is Mohammad Illyas, from the Wild West, who can run amok in any meeting and holds much clout in Cowboy land. Azhar Khan, one of the permanent residents of Gaddafi Stadium, of course will go with the wind that passes from the chairman’s office.

Secondly, while on tour coach, captain, vice captain pick the final XI, and the manager will always side with them because at the moment they have the backing of the chairman.Nothing changes and so it hasn’t with the new announcements.

In fact PCB now seems to be hostage to backstage actors. How else would someone like Ijaz Ahmed suddenly spring up as coach of the Under-19s 20 days before the tournament, a time span where it’s impossible to make an impact, but time enough to take credit?

He was then eased in as coach for the two T20s to prepare the audience for his induction into the national team.

What’s the desperation to pick a man whose integrity is under question? Ijaz was remanded in police custody for two months last year, over cheque fraud and a charge that he owes Rs. 20 million to someone?

To be fair to Ijaz Ahmed the fraud charges might be a vendetta against him but has anyone checked whether he was been acquitted?

And if guilty, has paid off the amount, or whether he has sources of income to gradually pay it off? Otherwise we are putting this man into a position where he can be brought under pressure.

A desperate man under stress to come up with the money is a hazardous one to have travelling with the team. His references include Wasim Akram and that can be taken both ways.

Worse, Ijaz Butt has admitted match fixing goes on even today and despite all retractions current players may be involved.

Is it wise then to put a man into a position which can influence the batting order, have knowledge of choice of fielding or batting if they win the toss, aware of who is injured and unlikely to play?

No coaching certificate, no management courses, never been even vice captain of the team, a reckless batsmen with an atrocious technique. What qualifies him as a coach ahead of those who have done Level 3 and some man management courses?

Is he the only past cricketer who could field? In the views of many, Shoaib Mohammad was an equally, if not better fielder. It would also have brought balance to the team management representing two major cricketing regions.

But then he is on a wavelength with Ijaz Butt not just because he’s from the same region and speaks the only language the chairman can better understand and converse in, but because both these gentlemen also share room temperature IQ.

Waqar’s induction as coach is leading us to interesting times. However, its infuriating when someone sees a lucrative opening and claims that he wants the job because he has always been passionate about improving Pakistan cricket.

To such people I ask: why then did you settle out of Pakistan when you admit it was Pakistan that gave you fame and fortune? Why didn’t you break your back in heat and dust to find potential and groom them? Specifically, why didn’t Waqar go back to hometown Burewala and set up a fast bowler’s academy?

If you’re passionate, you stay back and help Pakistan cricket. Like Rashid Latif and maybe Abdul Qadir. Otherwise just plain say you’re in it for the money.

Having said that, I was one of the few who backed him as captain in 2001 and who continued to support him, even through the disastrous 2003 World Cup which nixed his career. But from that time comes the knowledge that he is a poor handler of those who cross him or don’t follow his orders.

He is temperamental and has studied no personnel management courses, nor has given any coaching exam, nor has ever coached a side, other than one off stints as bowling coach where he initially did well but failed miserably in Australia this year.

Waqar has stated he wants to go for Pakistani batsmen as consultants. Miandad denied a statement attributed to him that Waqar had fixed matches and Waqar has mentioned his name as one of the batting consultants he would like to work with. So that’s sorted out.

But I hope he picks those who have had no playing/coaching overlap with the current members. That will lead to splits and groupings as they have their flock still. Rashid Latif would be the ideal choice for him. Rashid is a great teacher and cures rather than curb. Waqar swore by him when they played together and both trust each other’s sincerity.

His commentating stints have led to harsh comments on some existing players over the airwaves and there will be some in the team who will harbor grudges.

Also, a man who has been publically critical of some key players, team discipline and lack of skill sets will be always under more pressure to give results quickly. So people who don’t want him may lead him to the path of desperate actions.

Waqar also had a stormy fall out with Yousuf in 2002 which led to the batsman being sent home. Yousuf will be the fulcrum of the batting and he is much peeved over recent criticism and has declared war over the captaincy.

Afridi was another one whom Waqar didn’t see eye to eye with. Now he’s faced with these two captaincy candidates under him. Either way, both will be tough to handle by Waqar as both know they hold the key in the middle.

The appointments, and the approaching ones over captaincy, are perhaps Ijaz Butt’s last throw of the dice. The question to ask now is whether Pakistan cricket is in for a fix.