Better late than never..!

16 April 2019

Subject:- A must read for chairman and MD PCB so that at the end of the World Cup no refuge is sought on the excuse that they had no time before the World Cup

How NOT to win the World Cup..!

Posted at www.snayyar.com by Syed Nayyar Uddin on February 5, 2019

Subject:- Albert Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over without any change and expecting different results.

Dear Mr. Imran Khan Sahab.

AoA.

Sir,

Without urgent changes in our team’s coaches & captain, we should forget about winning the ODI WC 2019.

Out of the last 10 ODI matches (for latest figures add 5-0 abject surrender on home ground vs Aussies in March 2019) our team won only 2 matches (20%) & Sarfaraz Ahmad scored 292 runs of 17 innings in 13 months of (2018-19) averaging 24+ with 5 not outs.

In this regard, during the recently held Asian Cup tournament played in the UAE in September 2018, our team got unforgettable thrashing from the Indian B team (Virat Kohli was not playing) which defeated our hapless team in a manner, margin and style which may be very difficult to forget, detailed as below:
On 19 September 2018 (Mr. Ehsan Mani took over PCB on 4 September 2018) India defeated Pakistan with 8 wickets by bowling out our team for 162 runs in just 43.1 overs and achieved the target in ONLY 29 overs.

(Please read detailed analysis dated 20 September 2018 of this match given below as Annex-A and a write up dated 22 September 2018 titled “Why our lions have become lambs” as Annex-B.)

In the second match played on 23 September 2018 Pakistan scored 237/7 in 50 overs which was over hauled by the Indians in 39.3 overs by just losing one wicket and won the match with 63 balls to spare, as if, it was not a Pakistani winner of Champions Trophy team, but a team from Afghanistan or Hong Kong.

My short comments dated 23 September 2018 after losing the above mentioned match vs India, are reproduced below for your kind perusal please.

Quote:
High time for head coach and captain to quit for turning Pakistani lions into lambs..!

Today the main reason for a low/disappointing score of our team was that we played 175 dot balls (29.1 overs) out of 300 balls (50 overs).

In first 10 overs of our innings when only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30 yards circle, we scored only 28 runs against Indian score of 53 runs. (Our teams battery of coaches and selectors got further improvement in the teams performance when our team scored 21 runs repeat ONLY 21 runs in the first 10 power play overs vs the Aussies in one of the matches of the recently played five matches series played in the UAE)
Test match strategy, planning and mindset can never work in an ODI game, where name of the game is attack, innovation, positive approach in team selection, batting, bowling, fielding and staying one step ahead of the opponent’s game plan and strategy.”

Unquote.

Respected Imran Khan Sahab, although, being the Prime Minister it is too much to request you to indulge in the nitty gritty of cricket affairs, yet, the next ODI World Cup is too serious an affair to be left with the current PCB management (set up which only has one mantra on their lips that coaches and selectors can’t be changed before the World Cup), which may be very much sincere with their job, but it looks reclaiming World Cup for Pakistan, is too big a task for them, for which they have somehow been in an INERTIA, since September last; and very clearly, it is visible that they look AFRAID of media, in making bold and corrective decisions, in the larger interest of Pakistani cricket.

Moreover, the current management of the PCB can’t even say that now it was too late to make changes in the team, because given below are written proofs (Annex- A & B) that they were duly warned, way back in September 2018. It looks that the PCB’s management had decided to maintain status quo, as their cardinal policy, but the problem with this status quo policy is, that you end pleasing none and are held responsible for the ultimate failure of the task, originally given to you.

In view of the foregoing, you are once again (for the last time) requested to takeover the reigns of the PCB in your own hands and urgently intervene for a vital course correction, so that Babar Azam or any person you think is a captain material and has a confirmed place in the team & from Javed Miandad/Aquib Javed/Mohsin Hasan Khan/Amir Suhail/Moin Khan/Dean Jones (for Head Coach) may be considered for these positions with a cut out task to bring the World Cup back, under your leadership, otherwise forget about even reaching the semi finals stage.

Best Regards,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
03219402157
Lahore.

Annex-A
[Analysis of India vs Pakistan match played on 20 September 2018]
Disaster at Dubai..!
The total capitulation of Pakistan’s cricket team in the match played on 19 September 2018 at Dubai cricket stadium versus the Indian team must be taken positively for immediate corrective action before the start of the ICC ODI World Cup just after eight months time.
Victories and defeats are part of the game, but abject surrender is not acceptable, for which responsibility must be fixed and heads should roll.
In today’s India vs Pakistan match played at Dubai our entire team just scored 162 runs (which is not even a decent T20 match score) in 43.1 overs, which was easily overtaken by the Indian team in 29 overs for the loss of only two wickets.
The story of most shameful performance by our team is also very aptly reflected by the following statistics of dot balls played by our team:
Total balls of the Pakistani innings = 259 balls or 43.1 overs.
Total dot balls played by our team = 159 balls.
When a team plays almost 62% dot balls then DOUBTS about their capabilities, abilities and INTENTIONS are always raised.
Above all, this pathetic situation also demands ruthless accountability of all concerned who are associated with our team, particularly the captain and the team of coaches.
It is earnestly hoped that the new management of the PCB headed by Mr. Ehsan Mani also knows that the head coach of our team has never played a Test match in his cricketing career.
With this team management and the captain, it will be extremely difficult for our team to even move to the second round in the ODI World Cup schedule to start in May 2019 in England.
It is a timely wake up call for everyone concerned in the PCB, who were living in a false sense of comfort, after defeating Zimbabwe 5-0 in the ODI series, not realising that it was not even their C level team, due to the absence of six main players from the Zimbabwean Team.
This head coach and captain may not be the best choice for being retained till the next ODI World Cup. Especially, the captain who has unfortunately very badly failed to lead the team by example and from the front.
Mr. Aamir Suhail, considering that he is the best person available in the country, who possesses exceptional qualities of observing and correcting technical flaws of our players regarding batting, bowling, fielding, leadership and strategy matters; should be immediately appointed as head coach (and for any reason if it is not possible) then he should be appointed as team director, who should be the boss of the entire contingent of players, head coach, manager and all touring support staff.
If Mr. Aamir Suhail is appointed as the Team Director, may be there will be no need to replace the captain of the team; as under his mentorship, Sarfaraz Ahmad most probably will overcome his batting and leadership deficiencies, as well. Thus, leaving no need to find alternate player, as captain of the team.

Annex-B

22 September 2018
Why our lions have become lambs..!
The best way for the new management of the PCB, to not to win the ICC ODI World Cup 2019 is to remain in inertia; and carry on with the present set up, without any change..
However, then a question will be asked that if everything of the past management was satisfactory, then why its chairman was removed?
Nevertheless, the pathetic performance ( being displayed during the ongoing Asia Cup matches) of the product of the previous management of the PCB (players and coaching staff) leaves much to be desired from the new management of the PCB.
Entire coaching staff of our team has miserably failed in delivering (despite very high salaries) along-with captain and the players, who seems to have totally lost their flair of the game and passion for victory: which was clearly visible with the Afghan players, many of whom were seen crying, after losing a nail biting match against our team.
Keeping in view that the ODI world cup is almost around the corner, Shoaib Malik should be immediately appointed captain of the Pakistani cricket team for all the three formats; and a power hitter wicket keeper batsman inducted in place of Sarfaraz Ahmad, who unfortunately, seems to have passed his shelf life; and because of his non-performance, the team has also lost its balance.
The difficulty, with which our team won the match against Afghan team, is not at all a good omen. Even otherwise also, Sarfaraz was originally appointed captain by Mr. Shahryar Khan, by default.
It is again reiterated that our head coach and bowling, batting and fielding coaches must be immediately replaced, because they have turned our players from lions to lambs.
Just look at the hugely declining performances of our fast bowlers including Muhammad Aamir and batsmen including Fakhar and Sarfaraz.
About the declining standards of our fielding, it’s low level during our yesterday’s match against the Afghan team, said it all.
As such, the new management of the PCB is advised that they must not wait for the corrective actions, till after the World Cup.
Pakistan has to win the 2019 ODI world cup in England, which at the moment, with the current lot of coaches and players, looks like a distant possibility.
After the recent change over in the PCB, it looks the new management is acting on a go slow and wait and watch policy.
PCB has to be proactive and must take immediate remedial steps.
Our team badly needs a leader who can inspire, motivate and lead players from his own performances.
Our team also needs immediate induction of power hitters (like Suhail Akhtar) and an accomplished all rounder.
We also need a new coaching staff which can also study the weak points of opponent players and guide our players to modify bowling and batting strategy according to the weak and strong points of the opponent players.
In view of the foregoing, the new set up of the PCB should come into action immediately, postponing the honeymoon period, till after the World Cup is won by our team.
Good luck for Mr. Ehsan Mani in re-vamping the PCB.