LAHORE, April 5: Cracks within the Pakistan team were widening after two frontline players reported unfit on the morning of the opening day of the second Test against India at the Qadhafi Stadium.
All-rounder Abdul Razzaq and fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed pulled out of the crucial second Test despite having declared themselves fit on Sunday evening. Razzaq withdrew citing a side strain while Shabbir sat out because of a shin injury. To add insult to injury, back strain and cramps threatened Umar Gul's further participation in the match.
The factor that puzzles everyone involved with the game is how the two fast bowlers suffered the mysterious injuries. Their integrity and sincerity to the Pakistan team is also under question. Even if they were really injured on Sunday evening, why didn't they inform the team management so that some reinforcement(s) be called up.
The fast bowlers, in particular, were annoyed with the recent spate of criticism by skipper Inzamamul Haq. Inzamam, in his column in an Indian newspaper, held his fast bowlers responsible for the thrashing innings defeat in the first Test at Multan.
"Our bowlers are not really world class, as the 'experts' would have us believe. "Moreover, the pre-series hype about our pace bowling versus India's batting seems to have gone straight into their heads, as a result, they have forgotten how to bowl straight.
"Right from the start of the one-day series, it is our bowlers who have let the side down. "In Multan, the hype balloon finally burst and all the hot air had escaped. Hopefully, it will bring my pacers down to earth and they will be able to pick themselves up and perform to their potential for a change," he wrote.
Late last week, Shoaib Akhtar, the speedster without any significant performance, had told the team management that he would not play in the second Test as he was "struggling for form and fitness". He had been included in the squad for the second Test after a lot of convincing by coach Javed Miandad.
Shoaib remained below-par despite big claims when he was struck all over the park on a seamers' friendly pitch. Also disappointing was Mohammad Sami as Pakistan failed to capitalize on Umar Gul's burst when he reduced India to 147 for seven soon after lunch.
After the Multan Test, the pitch came under a lot of criticism. But nobody questioned the commitment of the players. Now it is time that some soul-searching of the players is done as nobody is bigger than the game.
