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| 22 December 2004 | Wednesday | 09 Ziqa'ad 1425 |
Fans torch effigies of Inzamam, Woolmer, Bari
KARACHI, Dec 21: Disgusted cricket fans on Tuesday burned effigies of captain Inzamamul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer to vent their anger and frustration over Pakistan's humiliating capitulation in the first Test at Perth against Australia.
Around 150 people crushed a television set, vowing not to watch coverage of the Pakistan cricket team's tour of Australia any more. The crowd, which had gathered outside the Karachi Press Club, also burned effigies of vice captain Yousuf Youhana and selector Wasim Bari and chanted slogans to express their anger over Pakistan's 491-run defeat at Perth on Sunday.
"It was the blackest day in Pakistan cricket and we protest over the manner in which the team lost the match," protest organiser Nazeer Sajid said. "Inzamam and Woolmer are to blame for the defeat, the body language of the team was demoralising for the fans of the game," he said.
Pakistan, facing a huge 564-run target to win, crumbled to a paltry 72 in the second innings, their fourth lowest Test score as pacer Glenn McGrath grabbed his career best 8-24.
Only Youhana (27) and Younis Khan (17) managed to reach double figures. "The team must return back because this (defeat) is hard to digest," said protester Mansoor Alam. Criticising Woolmer for not motivating the team another fan Amir Ali said Pakistan's British coach was "getting tens of thousands of dollars without showing any signs of improvement." -AFP
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