Following Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ongoing WorldCup so far, the country’s former skipper Intikhab Alam has questioned thepresence of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq in England and said it was thePakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) mistake to allow him to stay in England at itsexpense.
“Once the selection committee has selected the team,the captain and coach take over to select the playing 11 and decide on the tourmatters,” Intikhab told the Dawn. “So what is the role ofInzamam-ul-Haq there and why has the PCB allowed him to go on official visitand interfere,” he questioned.
Pakistan have been able to win just one game out of theirfive matches so far in the ongoing World Cup. The three matches, in which theGreen Brigade faced defeat, include the one against arch-rivals India at theOld Trafford on Sunday, where Pakistan played poorly and lost by 89 runs (D/Lmethod).
Ever since the defeat, Pakistani cricketers have beenhounded on the social media, not only by the fans, but also by formercricketers for their lacklustre performance against the Men in Blue.
Alam held the team management responsible for Pakistan’spoor performance in the ongoing showpiece event. “It seems that the teammanagement has totally failed to make a comprehensive plan for the WorldCup.”
“They should have a solid strategy against each team,complete knowledge about the kind of pitches in the mega event, the weatherconditions and weaknesses and strengths of their rivals. Sadly, none of thathas been on display and the performance of the Pakistan team so far shows thatno comprehensive game-plan was ever in place,” he lamented.
The 77-year-old also called for an immediate inquiry againstplayers who were caught on camera partying a night before their all-importantclash with India.
A series of photos and videos making the rounds of thesocial media show certain team members allegedly socialising past curfew hours.In one of the videos, Shoaib Malik, opener Imam-ul-Haq and Wahab Riaz were seenat a shisha cafe late in the night.
However, Malik claimed that the purported video was of June13 and not before the night of the match played on June 16 in Manchester. ThePCB has also disputed the claims.
“It is wrong as the players are on their national dutyand there must be a discipline to be followed strictly,” emphasised Alam,a veteran of 47 Tests and four ODIs.
“Though the PCB claimed that the event happened twodays before the crucial match against India, even then no one can justify thelate stay of the players in a cafe as there are certain timings to be observed.
“The players could have their dinner at any hotelmaximum by 11 p.m. not beyond that. The PCB should hold an inquiry to penalisethe players involved,” he demanded.
With three points from five games, Pakistan’s chances ofmaking it to the semifinals are bleak. Placed ninth in the table, the 1992champions will next face South Africa on Sunday.