ONE thing which has always infuriated over the years the followers of Pakistan cricket is the way the team manages to crumble, without a semblance of any rearguard act.

What transpired in Dambulla the other day was just forthcoming. The latest capitulation suffered by Misbah-ul-Haq’s charges not only brazenly presented the one-day series on a platter to their gracious hosts but also allowed Sri Lanka to complete a hat-trick of double triumphs on their home soil in a reminiscent of the successes they had enjoyed against Pakistan in 2009 and 2012.

Poor Fawad Alam was one glaring exception on a forgetful last Saturday of August. The plucky left-hander valiantly attempted a lone battle but was left marooned on the Emerald Island while the rest of his team-mates chose to commit mass suicide as they sunk deep into the Indian Ocean without a trace.

In the days to come the countless ‘armchair’ experts will be having a field day as they post-mortem Pakistan’s sufferings in another aimless exercise on various TV channels and other media forums. Accusing fingers would be raised at those who, not for the first time, have let the nation down.

As usual nothing will come out of it except for those with vested interests who keep on humiliating the current bunch of cricketing heroes just to settle old scores. But there a lot of people out there who really care for Pakistan cricket and get deeply disappointed if the team perform well below expectations of everyone connected with the sport one way or other.

Of course it does not exonerate people who are responsible for the pathos inflicted upon Pakistan cricket. Almost throughout the tour there appeared to be a distinct lack of discipline among the ranks. One got the impression some of them were out there on the field to merely make up the numbers.

However, they were obvious exceptions — Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan and Wahab Riaz in the Test series; Fawad Alam and Sohaib Maqsood in the one-dayers — to this notion but sadly they were very few. Instead of being ambitious and dedicated to the job on hand, a majority performed in a manner which was unacceptable.

The work ethic, a vital ingredient for any individual who wants to be successful at all times, was strangely non-existent judging by the way these pampered national heroes went about their task on the field of play. The overstuffed army of support staff was desolately exposed because there was no coordination or planning either between the players and the high-profile coaching bandwagon.

One doesn’t need a rocket science knowhow to detect the repeated failings. The outcome of the Test series could easily been totally different had the team and the management read the situation on that fateful last day of the Galle Test. Nine times out of 10 a positive mindset would have definitely yielded better results for Pakistan and not a heartbreaking loss, just seconds before the rains arrived!

Certainly a stalemate in that opening Test then would have had put Pakistan in an equal position to win the series in Colombo instead of catching up with the Sri Lankans who were no mood to squander the advantage they had unexpectedly earned to give their legend Mahela Jayawardene the perfect farewell he richly deserved from the Test arena.

The one-day series was supposed to be the launching pad for the preparations leading to next year’s World Cup. Incoming PCB boss Shaharyar Mohammad Khan, in a significant development, swiftly quashed queries about the Pakistan captaincy for the quadrennial cricketing showpiece.

Like his immediate predecessor, Najam Sethi, the octogenarian backed Misbah to lead the country in Australia and New Zealand without taking account that there are more than five months still left to go for the event. Without being unkind to the current Pakistan skipper his status has suddenly become vulnerable and very much debatable to the delight of his detractors who have repeatedly demanded his head.

In a sport like cricket, one can’t recall anyone past the age of 40 recovering from a slump in form as Misbah experienced in Sri Lanka (67 runs apiece both in the Tests and one-dayers, all told in seven innings on the tour). One cannot fight the Mother Nature and although he is still one of the fittest cricketers plying his trade, Misbah should be allowed the freedom to decide his own future as an international cricketer.

In recent weeks, Misbah was not the Misbah we have all come to know. He cut a forlorn figure almost throughout and was struggling to garner runs in his customary style. Moreover his cause was not helped by the results on the field and his tactical acumen was repeatedly questioned in several quarters, which was not something of a shock for those who had observed since 2010 how he has operated as the leader.

But does Pakistan have alternatives if the big decision has to be taken before the 2015 World Cup? The answer is probably none forthcoming from the PCB. Whatever is necessary for the betterment of Pakistan cricket should be implemented both by the PCB and the team hierarchy without any fear or malice toward any individual. It is no use crying over spilt milk and the manner of defeats in Sri Lanka must now serve as an eye-opener.

If Pakistan are serious about becoming contenders for the World Cup title, the foremost requisite is that the players have got to change their attitude and not take the field with an egocentric mindset like some of them did in Sri Lanka. Otherwise, there would be no end to the tale of woes, particularly against the likes of Australia who are Pakistan’s next opponents come October.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2014