Sohail faces the axe, Captain for Indian tour on council's agenda (3 December 1998)

3 December 1998

Sohail faces the axe, Captain for Indian tour on council's agenda

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Dec 2: The fate of skipper Aamir Sohail hangs in the balance as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called its executive council meeting on Dec 8 to discuss the cricket team's inept performance.

PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood said from Lahore on Wednesday that the meeting was a scheduled one but the timing of it definitely conveys the message.

"Naturally, every cricket board official is concerned about the performance of the team and that's why we have called the meeting," admitted Mahmood.

Informed sources, however, stated that the two-point agenda for the meeting also includes the appointment of captain for next month's tour of India.

He said the team's performance against Australia and Zimbabwe would be discussed in detail "and if the council thought necessary that certain decisions have to be taken, then it wouldn't hesitate in taking those steps.

"Not only captain's role would be discussed, the selection committee and the coach would also come under discussion. Not necessarily the captain would be changed, the entire setup can be replaced or nothing could happen. The executive council is the supreme body and has all constitutional powers to take decisions which can be in the best interest of the game."

Wasim Akram and Moin Khan are emerging as likely replacements for Sohail whose seven Test innings as captain have yielded 223 runs with one century besides a 1-0 series loss to Australia - first in 39 years - and a seven-wicket drubbing at Peshawar by Zimbabwe earlier this week.

Insiders, nevertheless, said efforts were being made from all quarters to bring Wasim Akram back as he enjoys a clean support from the entire team.

"Indian tour is very crucial and the best player who can lead from the front and motivate the side into a winning one should be appointed the captain. At present, Wasim Akram is the only player who can deliver the goods," a councillor, on the condition of anonymity, said.

Sources stated that if a captain for Indian tour is appointed then Aamir Sohail's ouster is inevitable. "Naturally, the man who would go as captain to India would be asked to lead the team in the remaining two Tests against Zimbabwe. And I can promise you that Aamir Sohail is not going as captain to India," the councillor added.

In this connection, chief selector Wasim Bari, according to sources, has already had a lengthy discussion with Khalid Mahmood and has recommended to replace Aamir Sohail with Wasim Akram or Moin Khan.

Khalid Mahmood said so far no disciplinary action has been initiated against Aamir Sohail for his outburst against the national selection committee.

"I talked to Aamir (Sohail) who says that he had been quoted out of context in the newspapers. He (Aamir Sohail) claims that he had criticised the combination of the team but didn't criticise the selectors or their policies.

"No explanation letter was delivered to him. In fact, I checked verbally.

"I assure you that no player would be pardoned if he breaks the code of conduct whether he is the captain or the coach," he vowed.

Khalid Mahmood failed to convince how would he cross-check Sohail's denial regarding his criticism against the selectors, he maintained that coach (Javed Miandad) would be asked to appear before the executive council on Dec 8.

"Being the senior most member of the team management, Javed Miandad has been invited to brief the councillors regarding the performance and what was wrong in the team.

"If the executive council thought the captain and the chief selector should also attend the meeting, they would be summoned," said Mahmood.

Javed Miandad said from Lahore that he would be attending the meeting "and would honestly brief the executive council. I don't know what they would be asking me but I am prepared to answer all questions to the best of my knowledge.

"I plan to ask for additional powers to criticise the team and the players if they don't come upto expectations."

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