All change for Pakistan
London - Everyone connected with Pakistani cricket, as well as the world game, continues to mourn the death of Bob Woolmer. But the pain following Woolmer's passing has been accompanied in Pakistan by anger against the team.
Two fans of Inzamam-ul-Haq's side joined us on the latest edition of "My Cricket World Cup" on BBC World, and Leena and Ali both agreed that the players must shoulder the blame for an ignominious exit from the tournament. After all, as Woolmer himself once said, he could only do so much as the team's coach, he couldn't play the game for them.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has promised a full review of the national team's set-up, and changes are already happening with the news that the chairman Naseem Ashraf has resigned. Most people seem to agree that even if he hadn't stepped down as captain, Inzamam would have been replaced anyway. The shame of this World Cup debacle is that it will reflect very badly on Inzy's legacy to world cricket in general, and the Pakistani game in particular.
The big man has been an absolute colossus for the team since his international debut in 1991. His 119 Test matches and 377 ODIs are testimony to his longevity at the highest level, while the best indicator of his sublime ability with the bat is reflected in his average. Cricket experts believe a Test average of 50 means a player is an elite member of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. Inzamam's average is 50.07 and Ali in Islamabad suggested he should step down from all cricket immediately - many will agree, even if they do so with a heavy heart.
Also on "My Cricket World Cup" was Rahul, an employee of the Mumbai company Fractal Analytics - where he and his colleagues have come up with a computer programme that predicts cricket results. Their most famous prediction so far was the West Indies' defeat of Pakistan in the tournament's opening game, but not only that, their computer programme also successfully foresaw that Brian Lara would make 37 and Inzamam would hit exactly 36. How? I have no idea, but Rahul's supercomputer didn't predict Bangladesh's great victory over India on Saturday, or maybe it did and they simply thought the hard-drive had crashed and gone loopy, so they didn't want to believe it.
Computers, graphs, and statistical analysis are all well and good in trying to determine the outcome of sporting competition, but the variables that come with human participation are surely impossible to predict. Who would have imagined that England's star all-rounder, and one of the biggest personalities in world cricket, would steal a pedalo at the end of a drinking binge and then have to be rescued from the sea by a local law enforcement officer in St. Lucia? Presumably Andrew Flintoff couldn't have predicted it himself, and maybe he doesn't remember any of it anyway!
Freddie's escapade has made plenty of people laugh, but it's also upset lots of England supporters who are bemused that Flintoff and five team-mates would even contemplate going on a late night bender less than two days before a win-or-bust match against Canada. One of the all-rounder's biggest defenders is the legendary Ian Botham. Commentating for TV in the Caribbean, Botham believes England's management over-reacted in stripping Flintoff of the vice-captaincy, dropping him for the game against Canada and fining him as well. Botham was English cricket's greatest carouser and rabble rouser during his playing days, and as he says, he didn't do too badly! Cricket though has moved on since Botham retired in 1993. The game makes more physical demands on players, there are more sponsors offering more money than ever before, and there are simply so many more games to play, with all the related travel and training involved.
How can drinking help? According to Peter Kay, who is from the British charity Sporting Chance, which helps sports people with drinking problems, it doesn't. He says professional athletes who think they can go out drinking the night before a big game and still play to the highest level are just kidding themselves. This is what he told BBC radio Five Live on Monday:
"We know in cricket the stories about certain individuals in the 80s who left the party at five o'clock in the morning, went and put their trousers on and their pads and knocked up a hundred. There are always those stories, but you know the physical effects of someone doing that a few hours before a game - their timing can be diminished by up to 15 per cent, their dehydration levels are just unbelievable, the lack of blood sugar within their body reduces their ability to concentrate, motivate and stay focused. There isn't that much of an argument - the effects are terribly detrimental."
It really has been a tumultuous few days in the Caribbean, and how long the death of Bob Woolmer will continue to cast a sad and mournful shadow over the event remains to be seen. With Pakistan now out of the tournament, our guest in Islamabad, Ali told us the interest in the country has disappeared. While Pakistan can't now win it for Bob, perhaps South Africa, the country he coached at the 1999 World Cup and where his family lives can. There's also a chance the country he represented 19 times at Test level could do it, but it'll take more than bottle Freddie!
If you've got something to say, or if you want to take part in "My Cricket World Cup" visit our website, or e-mail us. We promised you a feature on how to follow the World Cup while in the office and ideas on how to recreate the Caribbean atmosphere in your cubby hole. Events over the weekend, on and off the pitch, were so overwhelming, we've had to keep that one up our sleeves, but it's coming!
Take care for now,
Adnan
the team and the management of pakistan need a major shake up. A captain should be put in place who is a leader and motivator. Someone needs to put the passion for the game back into the players who wear the shirt.
Its a time to rebuild, bring in fresh new talent and blend it with experience. but in saying that the exerience should still have the desire to be the best
Complain about this post18 March 4:00 AM (PST)
Complain about this postPakistan Cricket died at Sabrina Park Jamica ,West Indies.
I am based in the UK in a small town called Rochdale. My generation(45 years old) feel very passionate about Pakistan and still have not recovered from the humilation suffered at the hands of the part timers of Ireland. Perhaps the lesson is in that the fact the winners had something to . The team should be held responsible for the poor performance , low confidence(transparant during the walk to bat) and no game plan. However the route cause of the problem should be addressed from the managment and all should be sacked and replaced with new. The management structure is to be blamed for a such weak humilating world cup performance. Having said that please lets not forget the coach and may he rest in peace.
Complain about this postHow can a country with so much cricketing talent as Pakistan play so erratically over the years? Is it because they play so many Test and ODI series during the year - with its resultant wear and tear - that they are unable to maintain a consistent level of play on the field? Or is it because being professionally well-compensated they are not much motivated to carry their country's flag with pride in international competition?
Yes, Pakistan's cricket went down to ignominous defeat at Sabrina Park, Jamaica. But it can rise from its ashes with the right type of leadership at the helm, one that can inspire the team to play with grit, dedication and honor. Lets hope that this loss will at last turn the corner for Pakistan!
Complain about this postListening to Imran Khan on Pakistan's GEO TV got me thinking. Pakistan should make two tiers for the international side. The first tier is the one which should play international matches while the second should be the 'A' side that should include the best of the rest. The first and second tier players should be relegated and promoted on the basis of a three series assessment, series which include both tests and odis. This way it can be clearly seen which player performs/not performs over a period of some 9 test matches and roughly 15 odis.
I think the following 30 players can be worked with for Pakistan's future. Misbah Ul-Haq, Mohd. Yousuf and Younis Khan might be aging but they are experienced in international and first class cricket. I picked some players on the basis of their first class and under 19 performances.
Steve Waugh should be sought as Pakistan's coach as he has the gutso and personality to firmly handle indiscipline and lack of committment.
First Squad:
Coaches:
Steve Waugh
Waqar Younis
1) Yasir Hameed
2) Salman Butt (v.c)
3) Mohd. Yousuf
4) Bazid Khan
5) Asim Kamal
6) Shoaib Malik (c)
7) Fawad Alam (All rounder from Karachi)
8) Kamran Akmal (wk)
9) Anwar Ali (U-19 Hero)
10) Mohd. Asif
11) Umar Gul
12) Shahid Afridi
13) Misbah Ul-Haq
14) Danish Kaneria
15) Jamshed Ahmed (U-19 Bowling Hero)
Second Squad:
Coaches:
Saeed Anwar
Aqib Javed
1) Imran Nazir
Complain about this post2) Imran Farhat
3) Younis Khan
4) Shahid Yousuf (U-19 Sialkot Player)
5) Mohd. Hafeez (c)
6) Yasir Arafat
7) Abdul Razzaq
8) Sarfraz Ahmed (U-19 Wicketkeeper) (v.c)
9) Mohd. Sami
10) Iftikhar Anjum
11) Abdur Rahman
12) Hasan Raza
13) Faisal Iqbal
14) Azhar Mahmood
15) Rana Naved
Hey Adnan I'm really surprised to read your article. For the first time i actually experienced knowledge and humour in one article.... Excellent reading keep up the good work.
Complain about this postI M VERY SAD THAT PAKISTAN HAVE LOST THE MATCH FROM IRELAND BUT KNOE I M JUST THINKING ABOUT THE CAPTAIN OF PAK,
Complain about this postBUT ACCORDING TO MY VEIW SHAHID AFRAIDI IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR CAPTAINCY COZ HE IS AGGRESIVE IN THE FEILD AND HE NEVES TOOK PRESSURE FROM ANY SIDE EVEN WHEN HE PLAYED OUT AUSTRAILIA.
As an Irish sports fan, first of all our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Bob Woolmer, whose death makes us all realise that cricket, just like all sport, is not the most important thing in life.
Complain about this postSympathy to the Pakistan cricket fans also. We wish you well in the future. Everything in life is cyclical and after you've had your 'downs' you will be succesful again. Success is almost impossible to maintain for a long perion.
We in Ireland are just discovering cricket and are beginning to realise the scale of our team's achievements to date in their World Cup debut. Let me reassure you that some good has come of Ireland's win over Pakistan. Cricket has found another 5 million followers here in this island of Ireland not to mention several more million among the Irish diaspora around the world.
The pressure on a great cricket team like Pakistan to achieve success must be immense and in this case it has taken its toll on the coach and players. No doubts there are other issues also like selection preferences etc., but pressure and stress from huge expectations can become an intolerable weight on the shoulders of a team. A negative and fearful attitude can sneak up on a team and suppress their ability to perform as they should with their great skills.
Finally, we in Ireland wish your team well in the future.
There are many reasons why Pakistan failed in the World Cup. Bob Woolmer (may he RIP) tried his best to cut the problems down and give Pakistan a chance.
The fact is the coach has little influence on the overall team. Younis Khan is a brilliant spin player but has a weak technique against the new ball. Shoaib Malik was at no 3 for a few games but former ex players and commentators put pressure on the team to move Younis to no 3. Having very inexperienced openers this was a very bad and crucial decision.
Pakistan should either have a Coach or Captain who has full control of the team, just like Imran Khan had. Pakistan should start now and plan for the next World Cup.
Complain about this postFirst of all, Imran Khan mentioned Aqib Javed and not Waqar Younis as a possible Bowling Coach. In his views Aqib deserves it since he has successfully coached 2 under-19 teams to World Cup Championships.
Second, Steve Waugh will not take the offer even if offered the post. A player who wasn't ready to play in Pak after 9/11 will in no way be ready to settle here as a coach. He may have Cricketing guts, but then he's not Bob Woolmer as a human. For a foreign coach in Sub-continent, you have to have humility and be above bigotry and prejudice to achieve that. Bob had all three of these awesome qualities not to mention Dave Whatmore (coaching second Sub-continent team).
I hope, though in vain, that people incharge will use Imran's expertise inorder to work out the problems with PCB and cricket structure in Pakistan. Imran himself has said it on TV that he'd be willing to sit down with people to workout a roadmap for the domestic cricket, constitution, selection committe etc.
Hope for better times in Pak cricket.
Complain about this postPakistan always had it share of controversies whether its imran vs miandad or wasim vs waqar.But the problem this time is they have not performed upto their potential.I feel sorry for pakistani fans ,with the kind of talent they have they should have atleast qualified for super eight .More heads would roll ,and added to the confusion is Bob woolmer sad exit .
Complain about this postIts time that we started not to blame on coach or a captain.In subcontinent if a team fails,people start pelting stones at player.It is the entire fraternity which should responsibility players,administrator and the board.It is the board which makes money.Ex In India there is always hue and cry when we lose outside subcontinent Explayers come out saying that the pitch in india are dead belters .
If that is the case why dont you change it .Common cricket in subcontinent has become so boring and predictable .India always win matches in subcontinent which are tailor made track which suits indian batsmen .But when they go aboard they lose even to a lesser team .Time has come for the board to act quickly or else the game would go into oblivion the same way hockey got into
First of all, as an Irish sports fan, our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Bob Woolmer, whose death makes us all realise that cricket, just like all sport, is not the most important thing in life.
Complain about this postSympathy to the Pakistan cricket fans also. We wish you well in the future. Everything in life is cyclical and after you've had your 'downs' you will be succesful again. Success is almost impossible to maintain for a long, sustained period.
We in Ireland are just discovering the joys of cricket and are beginning to realise the scale of our team's achievements to date in their World Cup debut.
Let me reassure you that some good has come of Ireland's win over Pakistan. Cricket has found another 5 million followers here in this island of Ireland not to mention several more million among the Irish diaspora around the world.
The pressure on a great cricket team like Pakistan to achieve success must be immense and in this case it has taken its toll on the coach and players. No doubt there are other issues also like selection preferences etc., but pressure and stress from huge expectations can become an intolerable weight on the shoulders of a team and coach. A negative and fearful attitude can sneak up on a team and suppress their ability to perform as they should with their great skills.
We in Ireland wish the Pakistan team well in the future. We know that you will get back to the top again.
Finally, I ask can all Irish people who are impressed by this Irish team's performances please support the Irish Cricket Union by sending some money to help pay their huge expenses. Also I ask Mr Bertie Ahern, our Taoiseach or Prime Minister, to increase the sports grant to the Cricket Union immediately by €1 million. They deserve it and the Irish public would thank you for doing this.
I do not blame any person after all this is a game of cricket.\the most unpredictable situation happens so it was one of the days of the Pakistan team and so be it. This is not the end of the world and no wonder people term the Pakistan country as a set of people who forget the past glory that this very team brought to the country.
Pakistan be a sport after all this is not the end of the world.
Complain about this postWe were very dissappointed regarding pakistan team's performances in the world cup.Not only they had to quit from the tournament but also the spirit of the game was reduced very much.I personally feel,for this debacle mohommed asif and shoib akthar responsible.They should not be called again for team forever.As usual Razzaq was injuerd.So,what the team management must do is select strong players who are able to play at least ten games in a row.
Complain about this postLets starts from that Pakistan missed their great foreign family member...... I personally feel to cry for him he seems to me very much involed in pakistani cricket spirit.... Secondly I would like to say to my generation please don't say anything to Inzamam because he is the man of history who keep his nurves at all times but if in one case it happens like that please forgive him and love him as you loved him before because he is such a nice human... But I would like to say strong message to those so called management who doesn't have any motivation for the players they are there only for enjoyment not to boost up the moral of team.... I can say here with my 100% certainity that even you prepare yourself upto the best but if you don't have motivation to be champion and don't feel that its your mission and desire to win and ready to take the challenge on their invidual shoulder you will never be able to take it.....lets put it in that way.....
Complain about this postLosing to bangladesh was not good in 1999. Many suspected match fixing. But our performance against ireland was so poor that hardly one could think of match fixing.
I wonder what were they thinking of?
The general feeling here in Pakistan is that Bob Woolmer died secondary to stress of losing to ireland. I agree.
But did any one read what mr Wasim Bari said as he resigned?
Complain about this postI think its not the failure of Inzamam. Its a team game and the whole team should be blamed. People who are balming Izamam only are not doing right because he can't do the job of every individual player. I think he is still a great player and should continue to play test matches as well as the ODI. He might not be the good captain but surely a legendary cricketer, a nice man and the beauty of cricket
Complain about this postAS Imran Khan said less first class teams and competitive cricket. I cant see why Asim Kamal was not in the team. Musharraf should not be the president of PCB. We want coaches as Imran Khan but not Javed. people with passion. Some players though they are great but they dont have that personality which is required from a coach.
Complain about this postThe failure in the World cup has been a result of a decaying team over the last few years. One of the major problem has been the technical flaws of the batsmen, and even after they are dropped and they spend some time in the domestic scene they still come back with exactly the same problems as they had before (Imran Nazir, Hafeez, Farhat etc.). We need to identify players with sound techniques and bring them on so that their mental strength is up to international cricket. Asim Kamal comes to mind someone who should be bought back to strengthen the middle order to replace Inzi.
Complain about this postPakistan need IMRAN KHAN as coach!!! The players need some discipline. Also players such as yousuf and younis should retire as they wont play in the next world cup (both unfit).Need to pick more players from U19's as there is more raw talent.
Complain about this posti am ist time looking your page and i like this page i am ist class cricket player
Complain about this postThe Churlish Politics Must Be Kept Out -
The PCB first of all needs to get rid of the internal politics. Politics has played the protagonist in ruining the potential of a country which produces some of the greatest cricketersin the world, although in vain.
Complain about this postThis is due to the monopoly of politics and the manipulation by a few who think of themselves before the nation.
Misbah-ul-Haq has proved to be a bright diamond for the PCB who was just not given ample oppurtunities to proved himself after his debut at the Gaddafi stadium, Lahore, against new Zealan a couple of years ago.
The need of the hour is to keep the ominous politics out and prevent the team from the evil of disintegration, whose exaple was recently portrayed by the rift between Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. Unity is very vital for the holistic growth of the team.
Good players should be picked up and their respective talents should be tapped by the PCB to facilitate the formation of a great team and justify the talent given to the nation.
I wonder why Mr.Shahryar Khan resigned. Maybe he was forced but I can't be sure.
As for those elements who think of personal gains first, the message from the board must be that, if they got anything worthy of saying, then say it at the right time or just shut up and slink off.