Karachi: Knives were out on Thursday for Pakistan captainMohammad Yousuf, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and the team management after the country's humiliating defeat in the Sydney Test against Australia. The aftermath of the 36-run defeat evoked angry reactions from former cricketers and administrators, who were scathing in their attack on the team for its shocking collapse after dominating the Test for the first three days. The Sydney debacle prompted a statement from the Presidential spokesman who appealed for calm and patience from everyone. "Charitable Pakistan Hand Australia Sydney Win", "Clumsy, Irresponsible Players Throw Away Match" were some of the headlines in the newspapers, reflecting the angry mood of the country.
Former pacer Sarfraz Nawaz lashed out at Yousuf's captaincy and demanded axing of the entire team management. "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," he said. Even former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, a close Yousuf friend who allegedly orchestrated behind-the-scenes movements to oustYounis Khan and elevate Yousuf, criticised the team. "I think this Pakistan team lacks confidence. We dominated the match for three days and then let it go all in one day which is unacceptable," Inzamam said. "In the series they were always in a hurry to play their shots which does not work all the time in Test matches," he added. He also felt that seniority should no more be a criterion for selection.
"I believe that deserving players should be given the chance and the management and players must all stand up and play their roles in the team," said the former skipper. In view of Kamran Akmal's poor form, Pakistan are rushing in young stumper Sarfaraz Ahmed for the third Test starting on January 14 in Hobart. Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who headed the selection committee until last year, said PCB chairman Ejaz Butt and the selectors should quit owning up the moral responsibility for the embarrassing defeat. "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," Qadir said. Ex-captain Moin Khan felt both Yousuf and coach Intikhab Alamwere to be blamed for the debacle. "I don't know what happened but I think even if Yousuf was not thinking right and his strategy was wrong after the first half an hour, the support staff including coach Intikhab Alam should have sent out a message to him to change his strategy," Moin said.
Former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf felt it was embarrassing to lose a match after dominating the first three days and said Yousuf should be stripped of captaincy. "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," Ashraf demanded. Also training guns on the coach, Ashraf said, "If Yousuf was not right in his cricketing decisions there was also the team management led by coach, Intikhab Alam which could have guided him into changing his strategy." Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, meanwhile, told the media in Islamabad that losing was part of the game and people should maintain their calm. "Winning and losing are parts of the game. The loss, no doubt, was disheartening and calls for greater effort on the players part in the future to win crucial fixtures," Babar said. It was a strange performance by the Pakistani team which bowled out Australia for just 127 runs and took a 206-run first innings lead. Thanks to Yousuf's defensive tactics, Australia managed 381 in their second essay and chasing 176 for a victory, Pakistan imploded for 139 to slump to a morale-shattering defeat.
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