Escape to victory

Amid the euphoria of Pakistan's dramatic victory over New Zealand at Welllington there is an Inzy in the ointment.

Inzamam-ul-Haq's captaincy is a paradox. His batting has reached new heights of responsibility, authority, and crisp-footed strokeplay - off the back foot, at least. As a batsman he has become a true leader. In the field, however, Pakistan's languid captain is sleeping on the job.

There isn't enough encouragement of team-mates. Rarely do you see Inzy jogging to his bowler to offer a word of wisdom or plan strategy. There are few councils of war, group pressure that might force Inzy to react in some way to a crisis. In the field Pakistan are like a rudderless ship drifting through a session.

Clearly there is some discussion of strategy with Javed Miandad before play and at intervals, but Inzy seems to have forgotten the plan within a few overs - or his decision-making process is paralysed by an unexpected turn of events.

If Shoaib Akhtar was the difference between the two sides in this short series, Inzy's indifference was a vital element that brought them closer together. As New Zealand struggled in their first innings to register much above 200, Inzamam bowled Shabbir Ahmed and Danish Kaneria for almost a whole session between lunch and tea. They didn't bowl badly - but they weren't taking wickets.

Inzamam did, after all, have Shoaib and Mohammad Sami at his disposal. This was not just lack of imagination, but a complete failure of captaincy, and it helped New Zealand to 366. Inzamam has yet to show much understanding of tactics in the field, or the art of inspired bowling changes. This is a worry for Pakistan. Good teams only become world-beating ones through outstanding leadership, with West Indies and Australia being the finest recent examples.

The second blunder occurred at the end of the fourth day. Pakistan needed 28 to win, and instead of claiming extra time on a fine evening, Inzamam, who was batting, sauntered off to the dressing-room. The weather forecast for the final day promised rain and bad light. Battlefield generals have been executed for less - at least Inzamam was so churned up about his goof-up that he missed breakfast on the final morning.

Luckily, the final outcome was still the one Pakistan wanted. This is a good Pakistan side, but the question is whether or not it is in the hands of a duffer. Many deficiencies can be put right. Leadership, however, requires natural aptitude, and I worry that Inzamam doesn't have it. Pakistan must devise a better plan to support him.