March 19, 2007	Monday	Safar 29, 1428

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LAHORE, March 18: Former Test cricketers as well as angry fans throughout the country were stunned and bitterly disappointed over Pakistan’s dismal performance in the World Cup.

Three former captains not only lashed out at the players but also cursed the long existing ad hoc in the PCB, as one of the main reasons for the debacle.

Imran Khan, the World Cup wining captain in 1992, lamented that Pakistan entered the biggest arena of world cricket without proper planning.

"I and other cricketers have been pinpointing the problems in the opening department, but no one was ready to give any heed to this important area of the team," Imran remarked.

"Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed were the best choice as openers but the selectors included Imran Nazir, a player, who remained out of international cricket for years, which in itself speaks volumes of the poor planning of the PCB and the team management," the former all-rounder added.

"I believe captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is more responsible for the fiasco since he had disclosed that he took all the decisions and coach Bob Woolmer had a limited role," he continued.

"If this is the case the PCB has been paying million of rupees to the coach only for training," he added.

"The failure of openers put pressure on a strong middle-order which proved to be nothing than a wall of sand, collapsing under pressure," he said.

He specified that as captain, Inzamam should have batted higher instead of No 5.

"A world class batsman like Inzamam can not do much at No 5," the former skipper stated.

Imran stressed that Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Sami should have been included in the first match against the West Indies, while the decision to axe leg-spinner Danish Kaneria against Ireland was not wise.

"Kaneria could have created enough problems for a new team like Ireland and I can not understand why he was dropped in one of the most crucial games, of the event," he commented.

He reiterated that it was high time to remove ad hoc from the board, which existed since 199.

"The President of Pakistan has no right to appoint a PCB chairman, and nowhere in the world such practice exists,” he complained.

"An elected chairman and a democratic set up is the demand for a more viable and effective cricket board," he pointed out.

Javed Miandad, another ex-Pakistan captain, blasted out that although he didn’t expect Pakistan to triumph in the mega event, he did not in any slightest way possible, foresee such a disastrous end.

"Like others it is absolutely impossible for me also, to accept the fact that that our team has been ousted from the World Cup in its initial stages and no doubt it is black day in the history of Pakistan cricket," a dejected Miandad added.

Elaborating at length on the team’s pathetic performance, Miandad, who was replaced by Woolmer as coach in June 2004, further stated: "There are a number of reasons behind the debacle but unfortunately the critics had pointed out all the shortcomings of the team well on time but no responsible person was ready to listen to us.

"Even on the last day we were not clear as to who will play at which position as trials of different combinations continued till the last," he specified..

"The players, who were out of the scene for years were suddenly brought back in the team at the eleventh hour of the World Cup which is a clear indicator of the lack of planning," he said.

Miandad, who was reluctant to single out anyone for the consequences, pointed out that those who brought in Woolmer were now criticising the performance of the team.

Ramiz Raja, who in his capacity as the PCB chief executive was a vocal proponent of foreign experts and convinced the then chairman (Shaharyar M. Khan) to bring in Woolmer with his team of experts.

Meanwhile, Miandad continued that most of the players were out of form but nevertheless included due to their experience, a move which proved to be a failure.

Miandad, suggested that to resurrect Pakistan cricket, the PCB should make the first class structure more competitive and there was need to promote departmental cricket as it was the only way to produce best players.

"The ad hoc system should be disposed of forthwith as it has caused great damage to Pakistan cricket," he said.

"An elected general body and council, of persons belonging to the district cricket associations is essential to grill any official of the team management, captain and selectors," he said.

Former Test captain and coach-cum-manager of Pakistan 1992 World Cup conquering squad Intikhab Alam agreed that it was a 'black day' in the annals of Pakistan cricket and he would like to ask the board as to who was responsible for the entire mess.

"The nation should be informed whether the captain, coach or selectors are responsible for the catastrophe," he slammed.

"Who recommended opener Imran Nazir to be brought back into the team after a long wilderness and why captain Inzamam was reluctant in leading from the front?" he said.

Intikhab said there was no need of ad hoc in the board and Pakistan cricket needed a strong board, which had the ability to control the captain and selectors.

He concurred that non-technocrats had no ability to control captain and the selectors.