This would not have been the case even if the Pakistani players had involved themselves into some sort of scandal like the match fixing one. Neither this would have been the case had the players backing out from a tour citing some unnecessary reasons. But, the decision that the PCB has taken needs a thorough analysis. This was and is the way the PCB had earlier dealt with the Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akthar, who even today has not been able to make it back to the international arena and has no option but to cool his heels doing what he thinks is 2nd best to playing cricket.
One need not be specially mentioned that the action taken by the PCB against 7 of its players is totally baseless. This is not the first time that the PCB has taken such a stand against its players. Earlier in 2003, after Pakistan failed to go past the 1st round in the world cup at South Africa, 8 of the Pakistani players namely Wasim akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Akthar, Inzamam Ul Haq, Saeed Anwar and Rashid Latif were sacked from international cricket. And, a year later, it had be the same Inzaman to come back and lead Pakistan to a test win against Bangladesh, when all seemed to be lost for Pakistan.
Luckily, Shoaib's ban was revoked when he appeared in the tri series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakiatan and New Zealand very soon after his suspension from the team. And now, the PCB has taken the same approach towards their players for losing the Aussie tour. One has to wonder as to what would the PCB gain after sacking these players. It was the PCB who pushed Younus Khan to play against Australia and now the same player is sacked. And, when these players, among whom were senior players as well are shown the doors, upon who does the PCB rely to take the Pakistani cricket forward?
It is not only Pakistan who have failed to return with a win against Australia in Australia. Even the West Indies who were found touring the same Australia returned without a single win from Australia. All the West Indies could achieve was a drawn test at Adelaide and then a 4-0 defeat as against the 5-0 defeat the Pakistan had. Though it is agreed that the one off match was abandoned which would have seen the West Indies also crumble to a 5-0 defeat. And, the Pakistan team atleast came close to winning the T20 game unlike the West Indies who gave it away totally without a fight. So, should the WICB also follw PCB?
2 comments:
Pramukh, there's a difference between 2003 and 2010 - and you have pointed it out yourself.
8 guys were SACKED in 2003. 4 guys have been BANNED in 2010. As far as I can remember, the 8 sackings did not do any wonders for the Pak team then - and I don't expect anything different this time.
And yes, by the time Pak's team for the English tour is selected, I expect the bans to be reversed in appeal.
Let's hope we do not have another FORFEITURE at the Oval and see more controversies.
The way the PCB behave, in banning players and then lifting the bans, is a joke, and makes them look amateurish to the rest of the cricketing world.
The way they handled the Younis Khan captaincy problem wasn't great either. And the wisdom in appointing Shahid Afridi as captain has to be questioned, as does the constant backing of Mohammad Asif.
Add to the mix the name of Ijaz Butt, who has presided over most of the latest disasters.
It's about time the PCB took a good look at themselves and how they handle these situations - which isn't good. A main part of their job is to oversee the (supposed) smooth running of the team, and to defuse situations. From what I see, all they do is add fuel to the fire.
It is a shame to see Pakistan cricket in such a state. With no games currently being played in Pakistan due to the security situation, their plight is bad enough.
You've then got a board that behaves in an erratic manor and some players not covering themselves in glory either.
All in all, it is a sad plight. Even though the tour of Australia was overall a disaster, there was some encouraging signs with the performances from Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer.
They looked like they could be top class players of the future, how are they going to develop in the current climate though?
Ultimately for me, the buck has to stop with the PCB, and things clearly haven't been good enough lately.
Would I trust the (current) PCB to put things right? I don't think I would.
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