CENTURION, March 2: Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup so far has been most disappointing after being touted as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Abject defeats against Australia, England, and worst of all India, and hollow victories over minnows Namibia and Holland have placed Pakistan’s progress into the second stage in real danger.

Multiple reasons are being presented for Pakistan’s precarious position in the competition. Among them are indiscipline, a total lack of planning, disunity between players, too much dependence on a couple of individuals, ageing stars, unimaginative leadership and poor selection policy.

There is lack of discipline all round whether they be officials or players. Every official seems to be his own boss and the players are following them. It seems there are more Chiefs than Indian braves in the touring party.

Also a couple of individuals are enjoying extra privileges something very rightly resented by other less privileged ones. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s favourite son Shoaib Akhtar is above board and his attitude is being followed even by the youngsters.

The army of officials — the biggest than any other competing team — seem more interested in their off-field activities than looking after the players who are a disjointed lot.

Planning is non-existent and that could be gauged by the fact that the tour management is still not sure about the line-ups, all the time changing and chopping the team’s formation. This has unsettled the players and except for a few, no one is certain whether he will be in the final eleven in the next outing.

There has also been too much dependence on Shoaib Akhtar and the ageing battle-hardened duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to rattle the opposition batting. The simple fact is the two Ws are no longer the force they once were while Shoaib was put in his place, especially by the great Sachin Tendulkar.

To make things worse, Waqar’s inept leadership has only served to compound matters. Besides several players are not happy with his attitude towards them.

Both Australia and England were on the ropes but Waqar’s handling of bowling and field placings let them off the hook.

Pakistan were thrown a lifeline by Australian pair of Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel, who came together to seal an unlikely two-wicket victory over England in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Now Pakistan require a really big win against Zimbabwe in an effort to improve their net run-rate and somehow finish third in Group ‘A’.

Even if they manage to qualify for second stage on the evidence of current form it is hardly likely that Pakistan will make the semifinals.

To reach the last four Pakistan will have to win all their three matches as they will have no bonus points to carry into the Super Six.