LAHORE: While the national selection committee is in a state of confusion about the availability of certain key players for the World Cup for different reasons, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has also been in a dilemma whether to retain chief selector Moin Khan as manager.

So, confusion prevails in the PCB at a time when the deadline for submitting the World Cup squad is just 13 days away (Jan 7, 2015).

The selection committee is not clear about the availability of key off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez with bowling action of both already having been declared illegal by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Both have to appear for biomechanics tests in connection with their action in India but ironically the PCB is still waiting for players’ visas.

On the other hand, some players are on the injury list making selection affairs in connection with the upcoming World Cup more complicated.

Nevertheless, the issue currently proving a stumbling block in affairs of the PCB particularly in the lead-up to the World Cup is the ongoing stalemate over the double posts of former wicket-keeper Moin Khan who has ensconced himself on the seat of manager as well as that of national chief selector.

The issue, particularly Moin’s case, assumes great importance in the wake of PCB chairman’s declared policy of restricting Board officials from holding more than one jobs. However, decision regarding Moin’s dual job was delayed by Shaharyar until the end of the recently-concluded New Zealand series.

With the series against New Zealand now over putting Moin’s dual job once again in the limelight, it has come to fore that the impasse has got worsened as the former wicket-keeper has threatened the PCB that if he is not retained as manager he will also resign from the post of chief selector.

Also, it is not clear whether the-then PCB chairman Najam Sethi had signed any contract with Moin at the time of offering him two jobs under which now the Board is compelled to continue with Moin as team manager as well as chief selector.

Anyhow, if Shaharyar implements his single job policy, Moin’s resignation as chief selector at this stage will trigger a controversy as a new chief selector may not be able to pick the World Cup squad from the 30 probables who have already been picked by the incumbent chief selector.

But still there is no denial of the fact that principally the decision of Sethi to offer two jobs to Moin was wrong, for the dual job policy are having a lot of contradictions which simply afflicts the game of cricket.

Speaking simplistically, as a manager, one has to help players in solving their problems regarding accommodation, travelling and many other issues which bring the manager in close contact with the players. But as chief selector and a member of the selection committee, one has to keep distance from players like a judge who has to avoid social contacts to do justice.

Principally, the prime job of chief selector is to keep close eyes on the performances of all players playing domestic and international cricket. Even it is the exclusive job of the PCB to issue clearance certificate to any cricketer in connection with disciplinary and fitness problem as the selection committee has nothing to do with such matters just to avoid interaction with players.

On the contrary, the PCB situation paints a gloomy picture with the chief selector, in this case Moin, not only interacting frequently with cricketers but he has been in no position to observe the performance of domestic players as the premier event Quaid-i-Azam Trophy (Gold and Silver) was almost complete when he returned from the UAE after the back-to-back series against Australia and New Zealand.

One fails to comprehend what kind of incentives are forcing Moin to prefer the post of manager over chief selector, for he is ready to quit both posts if he is not retained as manager. Anyway, there are reports that the PCB chairman is in favour of giving the role of manager to Naveed Akram Cheema and a decision in this regard has been postponed due to the fact that Moin is not ready to leave the same post.

It is instructive to note that Naveed has already served as Pakistan team manager for two years. Though he did an excellent job during his tenure as manager of the national team, his interference in shape of chairing the touring selection committee was totally unjustified.

What is the solution to Moin conundrum? It is simple. If Moin wants to go with the team, the PCB should send him as chief selector to chair the touring selection committee and on the other hand appoint Naveed as manager of the national team.

The ongoing deadlock between the PCB chairman and Moin over the dual post is worth the notice particularly after the former failed to term Pakistan chances bright in the upcoming World Cup. The chairman might probably have had all this confusion at the back of his mind.

According to latest reports, the PCB has delayed the matter of appointing manager till Jan 7 when the World Cup squad will be announced to meet the ICC deadline.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2014