September 5, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Saani26,1423

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KARACHI, Sept 4: Pakistan’s performance has suddenly become unbearable. It requires immediate soul-searching, examination to identify the problem areas and quick remedies, no matter even at the expense of some individuals.

The team that was on a roll until the Super Challenge Series against Australia, has now lost five out of eight matches, couple of them by embarassing margins. If this is the trend, then Saturday’s final would hardly be any different and consequently little hopes in the Champions Trophy and the World Cup.

This Pakistan team is undoubtedly far more talented and better equipped than it has performed in the last three weeks or so. It lost thrice in Tangiers — twice to South Africa, including an eight-run defeat in the last league match where it failed to score 197 — and twice to Australia in Nairobi, by 224 runs and by nine wickets.

The general consensus, that to an extent is spot on, is Pakistan team’s trademark internal bickering and clash of personalities amongst the big guns being the reasons for gutless performances.

But the million dollar question is has the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) taken the pains to probe when and how it all started and who are the culprits.

The chairman of the PCB, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, is flying to Colombo next week to assess the situation and once again act as trouble-shooter.

Looking back at things, it would not be incorrect to say that it all began during the training camp at Lahore in July-August when the PCB applied double standards and became guilty of disturbing the team unity and harmony.

It allowed four players to proceed to Florida to play in the double wicket competition and permitted two to join the team at London. But at the same time, it refused to sanction Shoaib Akhtar permission to honour his commitments with Lashings Cricket Club.

The simple problem was converted into a complicated one, largely due to mishandleing by the team manager, and led to resentment amongst the players. It continued to aggravate when Waqar Younis, under the alleged influence of Yawar Saeed, made mindboggling decisions while ignoring the advice of his senior players. The brewing crisis finally burst when Yousuf Youhana was sent home from Nairobi on disciplinary indiscretions.

Waqar has also helped his cause little by continuously shuffling the batting order and unnecessarily trying different combinations. With the World Cup hardly six months away, most of the teams are well settled except Pakistan who doesn’t know who will be the openers and what was the right combination.

In the eight matches, Waqar has tried six different combinations at the top of the order while he has continued to play musical chair with Shahid Afridi.

As events are unfolding, it is becoming evident that the trio of Waqar, Yawar and Mudassar Nazar, the team coach, may have very little time in hand — barring miracle.

But it would be injustice if only the three are shown the door as Waqar’s own performance has been outstanding.

The other option available with the PCB, if it is reluctant to take the extreme course, is to constitute different teams for Tests and one-dayers with separate team managements.

It would not be out of context to say here that the PCB needs to revise its priority list. As the players are showing signs of mental and physical strain, the selectors would be wise if they don’t consider the aging cricketers at all for this November’s tour to Zimbabwe for two Tests and five one-day internationals.

These aging players may, instead, be recalled for the South African tour where Pakistan will also play two Tests and five one-day internationals ahead of the World Cup that starts Feb 8.