Changes in team discussed at advisory council moot: Miandad, Moin criticized

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday hinted that changes in the team and its management might be made after the conclusion of the New Zealand tour.

Brig Munawar Rana, director PCB, said from Lahore that the team came in the domain of organizational changes which will take place shortly within the institution and to be released by the chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia in due course of time.

"There is a possibility that some changes might be made in the structure of the team," he admitted.

Team coach Javed Miandad has been given a mandate until 2003 World Cup in South Africa while Moin Khan's tenure as skipper ends on March 31 along with the assignment of manager Fakir Aizazuddin.

The statement comes as a surprise with Pakistan team leading the three-Test series 1-0 after recording a crushing 299-run victory over New Zealand. Pakistan lost the one-day series 3-2 after leading 2-1 at one stage.

In fact, the possible changes in the cricket team management were discussed at length during the two-day PCB advisory council meeting which concluded at Lahore on Sunday.

The target of criticism were Miandad and skipper Moin and the critics included ex-Test captain Ramiz Raja and former director of the board Yawar Saeed.

Brig Rana, when inquired about the discussions on team individuals, said: "I can neither deny nor confirm these reports."

According to sources, Raja scathly criticized Miandad for his inability to handle the players and the team which looked a disjointed lot. He was also critical of Moin's wicket-keeping arguing that he was dropping too many catches.

Yawar Saeed observed during the deliberations that Moin's leadership was below par. But there was no mention of the wicket-keepers timely 47 in the first innings which help Pakistan reach 346.

Ironically, the two technocrats were made to eat their own words when the team registered a convincing victory with Moin marshalling his troops excellently.

During the discussions, Ramiz Raja, an ordinary batsman, a mediocre fielder and a total flop as skipper and who should be thankful to Imran Khan and Majid Khan for playing so long for Pakistan also suggested hiring of foreign coach after the New Zealand tour. According to sources, Mudassar Nazar might replace Miandad.

Overall, the sources said the two officials who played in different eras and remained average cricketers, criticized Miandad and Moin for the sake of criticism without realizing the buildup to the Test series.

It was because of PCB administrators own follies and poor selections that the team management struggled to raise a competitive team for the three-dayer against New Zealand hopefuls. To add insult to injury, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and Shoaib Akhtar had to quit the tour while Inzamam-ul-Haq missed the first Test because of groin injury.

At a time when the team should be appreciated for putting up a gallant performance with the help of inexperienced players, the PCB councillors are finding scapegoats and excuses to throw out the brains behind team's success and once again unsettle the squad which seems to be on a roll and gradually settling down with the injection of fresh blood.

It seems to be a belated effort of the councillors to shift the attention of the followers of the game from their repeated and neverending blunders.

If anyone is to be slammed and taken to task, these are the people who have interfered in team selections by patronizing aging players who lack fitness, or are in the squad despite being out of form.