Tauqir accepts responsibility but refuses to step down

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia has refused to step down as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the wake of recent controversies and depressing performances of the national team. Ironically except for, Majid Khan, who completed his tenure every other Pakistan cricket chief was either kicked out or forced to quit.

The general, who was taken aback by the question at the National Stadium, said: "I don't think I am ready to accept the defeat. "If the decision (to resign) is left to me, I will only leave after I do something for the system."

The query came after the cricket team plunged rock-bottom at Lord's Sunday where they lost by an innings and nine runs inside three days. The defeat raised concerns and created uproar in the cricket circles with critics and followers of the game demanding for heads to roll.

Before the Lord's defeat, Pakistan cricket was engulfed in wide ranging controversies which led to the sacking of Javed Miandad as coach and Moin Khan as captain following the disastrous tour of New Zealand in March.

"Those who have appointed me, have the powers to remove me. They know better what they have to do. I don't have to tell them what they have to do," the general told newsmen Monday. Pakistan has had three captains and as many coaches in the last 18 months. Unfortunately, the appointees are changed but people making the decisions have not been shown the door. Nevertheless, the general refused to put the blame on his men.

"If the accountability has to be done, it should be mine because if my people (advisors) are making wrong decisions, then I am responsible for their decisions. "In any case, they are not the decision-makers, but I am. In my opinion, if the PCB has taken some decisions regarding the coaches and others, they are in the best interest of the game. "I am providing them (players) all the resources. Now it is upto them how to utilize the facilities."

Tauqir said neither he nor his board was feeling the pressure despite three series' losses out of five since he took over in late 1999."These are the best players we have. We require time to train the youngsters."

The general admitted that he was disappointed with the Lord's result like the rest of the country. But added that it could have been a bad day for the Pakistan team.

"I think their team composition was wrong. Then their body language didn't look good. I don't know what was in the minds of the coach and captain that prompted them to sideline Mushtaq Ahmad or Saqlain Mushtaq.

"Until I talk to them, I can't comment on the reasons behind fielding first and then bowling short of length. But I am optimistic that when they will play the second Test, they will keep these factors in mind," Tauqir said.

Tauqir refused to accept that Pakistan were now languishing at the bottom of international cricket. "I don't think were are at the bottom of the table. I believe these are our off days and things will improve."

According to the latest Test rankings issued Pakistan are placed only above Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. He, however, said whenever a team is passing through a transition and rebuilding phase, it struggles. He cited the examples of Australia in the 80s and now the West Indies.

When pointed out Pakistan fielded an all-star frontline players, Tauqir asked: "Do you really think they are your frontline players?

"Frontline players are upto a limit. After that stage, the performance of every player deteriorates. But now it is time to induct young players, but I don't know why they (tour management) didn't try them."

Wasim Akram, who went into the Test with 409 Test wickets, picked up two for 99 whereas Waqar Younis conceded 77 for his two wickets. Saeed Anwar had scored of 12 and 8 while Inzamam-ul-Haq could score only 13 and 20.

Tauqir said he has appointed English-born South Africa-based Richard Pybus as coach only for two months. He said his contract would only be renewed after analyzing the performance of the team in England.

The PCB boss also hinted that Javed Miandad might return to coach the Pakistan cricket team. "Javed was never removed. He himself asked to get out for a while. I cannot really say immediately if he will be back as coach.

"The decision to reappoint Javed will be mine but I will first ask (from Javed) what he wants," he said.

The PCB boss said the preparation of the audit report was in the final stages and should be finalized by June end.