LAHORE, April 9: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf failed to convince the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sports (NASC) in a grilling session over the recent World Cup debacle on Monday.
NASC chairman Rai Azizullah, talking exclusively to Dawn from Islamabad, said: “Both Inzamam and Dr Ashraf failed to convince the members today with their explanation on causes of the debacle.
“It is the unanimous decision of our committee that the PCB’s administration as well as Inzamam, despite enjoying all powers, not only failed to deliver but also lacked any control over the players.”
He disclosed that Inzamam tried to hide behind the age-old saying that ‘victory and defeat are part of the game’ but that failed to convince the committee.
“His absurd excuse that a green-top wicket played a crucial role in the defeat against lowly-rated Ireland surprised many of us,” said Rai.
According to the NASC chief, Inzamam failed to justify his position when quizzed over his earlier statement regarding the defeat when he had termed bad luck and media’s negative role as reasons for World Cup loss.
The chairman said he also questioned Inzamam about his overbearing stance as captain with reference to an article by former PCB chief Shaharyar Khan which mentioned his (Inzy’s) dictatorial ways as leader. “He looked non-plus about the whole thing,” said Rai.
He said the players embarrassed the nation by falling to minnows Ireland in the first round but neither PCB nor the players appeared ashamed or shocked by their actions.
“There was total chaos in our preparations for the mega event,” observed Rai.
“The PCB and the team management were never sure about the playing eleven and included rusty, old players at the final stages which obviously backfired,” he said with obvious reference to Azhar Mahmood.
“The PCB chairman was told clearly that though the patron had expressed confidence in him by not accepting his resignation “your steps for damage control are unimpressive and the recent reshuffling in the board is just an eyewash.”
He added that the PCB chairman was asked to make public the accounts of the board but he was not ready to do it saying, it was not the public’s prerogative to know the details. “The entire committee showed its resentment over the statement and reminded the chairman that since the president of Pakistan General Pervez Mushrraf was the patron of the PCB, it was a public institution and the people had the right to know about its financial resources.”
The NASCS chairman said the committee recommended the appointment of a panel comprising senior cricketers such as Majid Khan, Imran Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad to guide PCB on cricketing matters. It also recommended that Pakistani coaches should be hired in future for the team.
