WITH the resignation of Tauqir Zia one more ad hoc administration of Pakistan Cricket Board has come to an end, or so I would like to believe. But my gut feeling says it is too good a step for Pakistan cricket to happen so soon, with what has been repeatedly described by the media as the darkest chapter in the history of national cricket, lasting a mere four years. The reality, if it is really real, has yet to sink in.
The gut feeling has to be given due weight in view of all that has followed in the wake of the resignation. There has been an appeal made by the players and the team management to the PCB Patron, President General Pervez Musharraf, not to accept Tauqir’s resignation. The cat was out of the bag the very next day when the media reported that the campaign was actually led by someone in the PCB’s marketing department and there was even a scuffle between him and Manager Haroon Rashid as the former wanted the team to accompany him to the Presidency in Islamabad, or at least sign a joint petition.
Besides, there have been reports that the Chief Selector is also planning a trip to Islamabad to plead the case his boss. I also saw a photograph of Karachi boys holding a phony demonstration in favour of Tauqir’s return. It is not a great mystery to find out who was behind the demonstration. This is all a very well orchestrated campaign by those who have benefited in one way or the other during the ad hoc tenure of Tauqir Zia.
The general plea taken by this horde of sycophants is that the continuation of the administration is necessary till the India tour which, according to them, would otherwise face administrative problems. That sounds funny. After all, the retired general announced his resignation not just in the middle of a series, but in the middle of an ongoing international match. When no problems cropped up to disrupt the match or the series, how can it disrupt a series that is still a few months away?
The campaign is led with such force that even such a respected name like Omar Kureishi seems to have fallen for it. My fear is that even the Patron may be influenced by it all, and the cronies will succeed in prolonging the ‘darkest chapter in the history of Pakistan cricket.’
If newsreports are anything to go by, the meeting between the PCB Patron and Tauqir is due to take place as I write these lines. It is not the fate of an individual, or that of a group of hand-in-glove souls, it is the fate of national cricket that is at stake. Let’s see how it goes.
Coming round to the resignation speech of Tauqir, he did say a few things that need to be touched upon in order to keep the record straight, but I am not too keen to repeat what I have been saying all through.
That Tauqir found it prudent to single out my name and indeed that of this newspaper for adding to his woes is something I have no quarrel with. It was his decision and we have to respect every individual’s right to behave in whichever manner he finds close to his character, personality traits and upbringing. However, the twist he tried to give to my comments regarding his son’s selection in the national squad was somewhat below the belt.
I stand by my earlier stance that Junaid Zia did not deserve to be in the national squad, but the fault was not his; it was a case of dear dad playing into the hands of sycophants and cronies. Period.
WITH the resignation of Tauqir Zia one more ad hoc administration of Pakistan Cricket Board has come to an end, or so I would like to believe. But my gut feeling says it is too good a step for Pakistan cricket to happen so soon, with what has been repeatedly described by the media as the darkest chapter in the history of national cricket, lasting a mere four years. The reality, if it is really real, has yet to sink in.
