PCB considering different Test and One-Day teams and captains

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating having different teams and captains for Tests and One-Day Internationals. The proposal came up for discussion at the PCB headquarters in Lahore where the Chairman, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia held several meetings with the selectors and the out-of-commission senior players over the weekend. Although no final decision was taken, wide-ranging discussions were held between the Chairman and the selectors in which the positive and negative sides of the suggestion were considered.

The selectors also deliberated upon the current performance of the team that included several young and inexperienced players. Not only was the current performance debated but the recent performances in Tangiers, Nairobi and Colombo were also taken into stock.

It was also decided that Pakistan coach Richard Pybus would be requested to come to Pakistan with the team after the conclusion of the series against Australia so that he could give his thoughts on the teams for the forthcoming tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Initially, chairman of selectors Wasim Bari and Pakistan `A' coach Aaqib Javed were expected to fly out to Sharjah to discuss the team. But the plan has now been changed.

The PCB Chairman also conveyed to the senior players - Wasim Akram and Saeed Anwar their decision to skip the series against Australia was not in the interest of the team. The Chairman said that their priority should have been to play this series instead of opting for a rest. Yousuf Youhana and Inzamam-ul-Haq explained that they were unfit and were forced to miss the series. But, the Chairman said they were solely responsible for looking after their fitness. The Chairman inquired about their future plans and conveyed to them what the establishment and the country was expecting from them.

In order to judge the fitness and form of Wasim Akram, Yousuf Youhana and Saeed Anwar, the PCB has decided to hold a 50-over-a-side one-day match shortly. Besides the three, Mohammad Zahid, Abdul Rauf, Naved-ul-Hasan, Naved Latif etc will also be invited. The national selection committee will pick the two teams.

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia also instructed the chairman of Cricket Management Committee (CMC), Iqbal Qasim to organize a Super League One-Day tournament among the four provinces at Lahore during Ramazan. A couple of matches will be held under lights.

The PCB Chairman also held discussions on the revised constitution of the board. The draft of the revised constitution is expected to be submitted to Patron, General Pervez Musharraf, in the next couple of weeks for his approval and implementation.

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia was briefed in detail about the development projects in progress by General Manager, Development, Irfan Mirza. The Chairman instructed the development chief to speed up the work and conveyed to him that he wanted to see the under developed stadiums completed by the year-end.

Samiul Hasan
GM Media
October 21, 2002