I've just read an article in the Times of India, which details the reaction of ex-Pakistani players and board members to the dreadful defeat in Sydney yesterday.
To say there has been an over-reaction is an understatement to say the least. Now I blogged yesterday that Mohammad Yousuf's negative tactics in the morning session suggested he was a decent bloke, but an awful captain, but to say that Yousuf, coach Intikhab Alam and even cricket board chief Ejaz Butt should all be summarily dismissed is ridiculous. Even a Presidential spokesman appealed for calm and patience from everyone - Mein Gott, if Gordon Brown had to make a statement every time England contrived to lose a test match, he wouldn't have any time to perfect that sinister smile.
Ex-players and administrators were queueing up to jump on the bandwagon, which just goes to demonstrate the typical reactionary nature of Pakistan cricket and why the side continually fails to justify the obvious talent within and the consequent confidence they should have. Surely, the time to judge Yousuf will be after the series against Australia and England in England next summer.
For now, I reprint some of the quotes below - no more words are necessary...
"What happened in the Test was so embarrassing. It made a complete mockery of Pakistan cricket and the entire team management. The captain should be fired for it" Nashim Ashraf, former PCB chairman
"I think the selectors now need to give more opportunities to younger players so that we can move ahead. This management needs to be sacked as they are unable to provide proper support to the players" Safraz Nawaz
"Had I been the board's Chairman or chief selector, I would have resigned from my post after such a pathetic performance by the national team" Abdul Qadir
"Pakistan Cricket Board shows its utmost concern over the poor performance of Pakistan cricket team in second Test played in Sydney. An overall review of performance of the team shall be carried out by the board after the completion of the Australian tour" Official PCB statement
It was left to former skipper Aamer Sohail to provide the sanest reaction when assessing Yousuf's negative captaincy in the morning session:
"It is beyond comprehensions (sic) what he was trying to do by sending around seven to eight fielders to the boundary ropes early on in the day at a time when he should have attacked both batsmen with the second new ball"
I couldn"t have put it better myself...
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