Aamir Sohail unsure of captaincy (30 November 1998)

30 November 1998

Aamir Sohail unsure of captaincy

By Our Special Representative

PESHAWAR, Nov 29: A dejected and depressed Pakistan team captain Aamir Sohail on Sunday hinted that he might step down from captaincy. "I will go to Lahore after this Test and will review my options. At this stage I don't know if I would continue after this game or not," Sohail told Dawn at the Arbab Niaz Stadium.

In his first tenure as captain, Pakistan lost the first series to Australia in 39 years and prospects look bleak in this Test as well. In 12 one-day internationals, Pakistan has won half and lost the remaining.

"I also plan to hold a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials regarding my status. I have certain terms and conditions in my mind which I would lay before them," Sohail, who is also passing through a lean period with the bat, remarked.

Sohail tried to maintain that he had full support of the players but minced no words that he was not being considered in selection matters.

"The chief selector doesn't consult me. He finalizes the lineup of 14 and also the playing team.

"If unfit players or out of form players are playing, you should better ask this question to him (chief selector) because he is picking them," Sohail said.

However, Sohail defended the pathetic display of batsmenship by his stroke-makers saying: "I would like to put it this way, the Zimbabwean bowlers bowled splendidly. They never allowed us to settle."

Asked if the decision to play on a seaming wicket was correct, Sohail replied: "The last time we played a Test on seaming track was about four or five years back at Christchurch (New Zealand). With the top order struggling for runs, barring Ijaz Ahmad, I don't think it was a very wise decision to prepare a seaming track."

Nevertheless, he was quick to say that Pakistan's strength is in its fast bowlers "and the home team prepares wickets according to its strengths and weakness."

Sohail vowed that the Test was not over yet. "They still have to get 92 runs and I promise they will have to play really well to get those because I have firmly believe Wasim (Akram) and Waqar (Younis) will see us through as they have done it in past."

Alistair Campbell, Sohail's opposite number, admitted that the task was not finished yet. "We still have 92 runs to get. No one can deny the brilliance and prowess of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

"Normally, everyone always has a good night sleep but there will be butterflies in the stomach of some players knowing they were on the verge of winning their first Test outside Zimbabwe," Campbell, who is the only other Zimbabwean along with Andy Flower to represent his country in every Test, said.

Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton said it was a difficult wicket to bat on "and if you apply yourself you can still make the runs. There will be no special instructions to the batters but to enjoy themselves and make sure that you are the person there at the end."

Houghton said the Test was in Zimbabwe's hands "because last two times we won when bowling last. This time we are batting last so all depends on us how we come tomorrow and chase the score."

Houghton said he was happy to be playing on a green top wicket. "Pakistan bowlers would have dismissed us anyway inside 300 runs no matter what type of wicket it was. So, we were happy to at least have a chance to bowl them out twice as well."

Houghton came for the rescue of Pakistan team when he said there was too much pressure on the home team. "There is crowd and media pressure on them while we have nothing. Therefore, we are playing more pressure-free than them.

"Any outside pressure can affect the performance of the player and the team. The pressures can be an argument with your wife, pressure from the press or betting and match-fixing investigations. I am sure the guys are not happy to have it (probe) going on during an international season. It must be tough for them, fortunately I have never been in this situation."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)