Pakistan could win World Cup without official meddling

Pakistan's World Cup squad represents the country's best available cricket talent perfectly coming up to the public's expectations, for which credit goes to chief selector who made no compromises and did not succumb to any pressure otherwise Shoaib Malik would have been there.

This combination comprises the finest fast bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, outstanding off-spinner Mushtaq and in batting openers Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi both record holders in one-dayers for highest individual score (194) and for the fastest century respectively. On top of that Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan constituting the middle order backed by all-rounders Wasim Akram, Abdul Razzaq and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif.

My playing XI will be: Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younus, Shoaib Akhtar.

Now the question that keeps cropping up is, why with such a formidable combination the anticipated results are not forthcoming? In my view the PCB has met all the demands and requirements of the players, besides granting them financial concessions for which the board also came under sharp criticism.

To quote an instance, acknowledged expert openers like Geoff Boycott, Hanif Mohammad and Mudassar Nazar were engaged in addition to experienced hands, Ramiz Raja, Mohsin Khan and Shafiq Ahmed who were attached with the board. Yet if the fans asked about the opening pair for the World Cup perhaps we will be stumped for an answer.

Keeping in view, the 3-0 defeat against Australia and 4-1 hammering at the hands of South Africa and two disgraceful reverses in the couple of Test matches which in itself is mind boggling and with all these bowling, batting and fielding coach along with Richard Pybus - where the hell is he going with a multi-pronged support battery. His assignment as Pakistan's team coach is amazing and incomprehensible.

Imagine Sri Lanka having anAustralian coach and suffering defeat at the hands of that country. India having a New Zealander as their coach and meeting the same fate. Pakistan undergoing a similar excruciating experience against South Africa. Is that unfortunate co-incidence or tragic conspiracy!

There were rumours of Pybus resigning ostensibly because players don't listen to him. There are generally three excuses that cricketers often put forward - wickets, weather and umpires. I think no such excuses are valid in the realm of professional cricket wherein players have to perform in all conditions and circumstances.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have at once accepted Pybus's offer of resignation. It was a golden opportunity that has been lost. Pakistan reached the World Cup final twice and on both occasions the coaches were Pakistanis - Intikhab Alam who had the historic distinction of being partner in the historic triumph and then Mushtaq Mohammad.

Look at our football fortunes touching great heights in SAFF Championship with Tariq Umar Lutfi, a Pakistani as coach, while Josef Herel of Slovakia had reduced the team to shambles.

Now a few observations about the manager-designate for the World Cup. Giving such heavy responsibility to a person who has no cricket background is beyond comprehension.

When Shaharyar Khan was assigned this role on the Indian tour, diplomatic niceties were the pre-dominant considerations. The present team is not going for foreign affairs or to the UNO, otherwise a former foreign minister would have been the manager.

Making such a choice for a mega event is a mockery. He lacks basic cricket knowledge much less any insight of cricket affiars. What is absolutely confusing, is to make him mentor and mentor of selection committee?

How will Shaharyar discuss oreven convince Wasim and Waqar about cricket technique? Here I am reminded of a humorous incident when Javed Burki was on tour of England. The then manager did not have a clue about cricket. Antao D'Souza, a medium pacer, had a suspect action. During the match a player of the opposite team told the manager about D'Souza's fault. The manager instantly said there is no one in Pakistan better than him, in throwing ability! If someone questions the present manager about Shoaib's action, the team more than the managerwill blush at the response.

We have no dearth of capable cricket managers like Zafar Altaf a virtual genius, Intikhab Alam an efficient and amicable person - Majid Khan disciplinarian to the core - and Haseeb Ahsan who commands players respect.

My apologies for being a little degrading on the subject of cricket administration. During my long innings in this great game, I have never seen such a highly educated gifted and respected cricket administrator as Muzaffar Hussain, former president of Karachi Cricket Association.

He was a role model, a knowledgeable, helpful and considerate guide having combination of paternal attributes. May Allah give him health and happiness for which he has earned the prayers of countless cricketers.

Before concluding this piece in the current context accepting things as they are, my appeal to the manager-designate is to realize his limitations in terms of cricket and use his abilities to put the players at ease. With all sorts of specialists, physiotherapist, psychologist, doctors, analyst and coaches it must be remembered that too many cooks spoil the broth.

This highly-paid lot has miserably failed to correct all the apparent faults especially in terms of batting and fielding. Not withstanding all the attendants the team is excellent and can perform to the expectations provided they are properly handled.

Waqar must have full support from all quarters like Imran Khan had, to win the cup. Imran's own magic touch had no doubt played a decisive part in the monumental World Cup victory in 1992. But his two cousins, General Zahid Ali Akbar, the then board president, and Javed Burki,chairman of selectors, provided maximum help and support. Neither Miandad, Wasim nor Waqar could claim such comforting concessions.

It is time that all the players mutually cooperate and coordinate rising above petty differences, operating as a single solid unit, to earn for the country the unique honour of winning the game's biggest prize.

Good luck to Pakistan squad, with my best wishes and fervent prayers.