THIS is with reference to the report “PCB chief calls for ‘major surgery’” (June 11). After the two seriosuly heartbreaking performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had reasons to comment that a major surgery was required. One can only add that the need for such a ‘surgery’ was long felt by the masses who follow the game passionately. They expected it to happen earlier, but such an action was for some reason not taken. Perhaps it was delayed in the hope that the team might just bounce back instead of hitting the rock bottom face first.

There seem to be two prime reasons for the dismal performances; poor captaincy, and rifts within the team. Cricket in Pakistan has been suffering from the negative impact of these two elements for a long time.

Groupings and favouritism affect the quality of team selection, and then questionable captaincy — depending on the support of a few rather than the team at large — makes things go wrong on the field of play.

Captaincy requires leadership more than an individual’s own performance, but that has become Pakistan’s sore point in full public view match after match. The PCB chief should expedite the ‘major surgery’ and find a captain with leadership qualities who may restore the nation’s image by displaying professionalism on the field.

Aleem M. Ahmad
Lahore

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2024