December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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KARACHI, Dec 2: The future of Pakistan cricket will continue to remain bleak if the policy of uncertainty, adopted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), remains the order of the day.

Salahuddin Ahmed, a former Test all-rounder who also served as chief selector, believes the departure of Lt Gen Tauqir Zia as chairman was triggered by his so-called loyal subordinates in the PCB.

“He was misguided by people both within and outside the cricket board that led to his resignation. Pakistan cricket has never experienced such a dreadful time,” he told Dawn on Tuesday.

Salahuddin, however, praised the outgoing PCB chief for the initiative he undertook to improve and upgrade the infrastructure. “At least, he ensured that the stadiums in Karachi and Rawalpindi had floodlights. The cement pitches were replaced by grassy tracks at many club grounds. That was some contribution that must be appreciated.”

He minced no words in saying that the squabbling between key officials in the PCB never let the game run on a proper footing, and that is the reason why Pakistan cricket has reached a critical phase.

Salahuddin argued that in the name of rebuilding, the PCB destroyed the confidence of several cricketers on whom a lot has been invested.

“Just imagine that players like Younis Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi have been sidelined for one reason or another. They deserved to be in the senior squad,” he remarked, while adding that Younis was a key member in the Pakistan middle-order batting along with Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.

“Pakistan would struggle to find dependable batsmen if both Inzamam and Youhana were also dropped. Together with Younis, they are the backbone of Pakistan batting. But I’m shocked to see Younis sitting out now,” he said.

Salahuddin was of the view that Pakistan’s track record during Tauqir Zia’s four-year regime looked impressive on paper but a close glance reflected a different picture.

“Winning 17 Tests against 12 defeats does not paint a rosy picture because 10 of those wins were against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and a second-rate West Indies side,” he claimed. “We must not forget that Pakistan suffered the humiliation of being bowled for 59 and 53 on a docile Sharjah pitch against Australia.”

Salahuddin maintained that inconsistent selection policies were one of the main factors that resulted in Pakistan groping in the dark to find a reliable opening pair for a long time.

“They (the selectors) hardly allowed a pair of opening batsmen to settle down. Many combinations were tried but none was relied upon for a lengthy period. That only added more pressure on the remaining batsmen,” he noted.

At the same time, he said that Pakistan were unable to discover a slow left-armer at the highest level.

He also questioned the integrity and wisdom of Ramiz Raja, the PCB’s chief executive, chairman of selectors Aamir Sohail both of whom were continuing to work as TV commentators.

“That’s is quite amusing and looks astounding as how can one make negative comments on the players whom one has picked himself,” he asked.

However, he defended the stance taken up by Aamir Sohail during his recent row with the team management.

“The chief selector is not obliged to seek advice of anyone bar his fellow selectors as far as picking a squad is concerned.

“It was obvious certain people were in danger of losing their jobs but they chose self interest above national interest. Nepotism and favourtism have always played a big role in our cricket.”

He termed the tenure of Khalid Mahmood as head of cricket board being the golden period of Pakistan cricket with several notable achievements, the Sahara Cup win over India in Toronto, Test victories against India in their own country, clinching the inaugural Asian Test Championship and finishing runners-up in the 1999 World Cup.

He reminded that Zahid Ali Akbar was board chief when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup.

“Pakistan cricket flourished in that era because both of them were good administrators. It is not necessary to have retired players looking after the cricket board,” Salahuddin stressed.

Commenting on the current series against New Zealand, he said that winning over a side depleted by unavailability of eight top stars was not surprising.

“Compare the Australian side that won the triangular tournament in India. They won with virtually a second string attack in the absence of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne. That’s what I call rebuilding,” he concluded.