Clouds of uncertainty over Pak cricket

A title triumph in the tri-series final against India in Bangladesh, followed by another win against the arch-rivals at home in the Asia Cup.

A title triumph in the tri-series final against India in Bangladesh, followed by another win against the arch-rivals at home in the Asia Cup. Pakistan might not figure in the final on Sunday, but their recent results aren8217;t the kind that usually warrants a change at the top.

But the local media here is full of stories about the 8216;last few days8217; for captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson. On Friday, a news agency even went to the extent of naming former skipper Intikhab Alam as Lawson8217;s replacement. PCB was quick to deny and even Alam told The Indian Express that he hadn8217;t heard about it.

While speculations over the status of the present coach and captain will take time to die down, an air of ambiguity has once again shrouded Pakistan cricket. Alam isn8217;t going by the results when he says that the think tank has failed to keep the team together.

8220;It is more about players not understanding the language of their coach and the captain not being able to motivate his players,8221; he says. Officially, the PCB presents a happy family picture but off record, officials speak about the growing discontent within the team and acrimony over selection.

Alam is candid in his criticism of Malik. 8220;A captain may be as good as his team but he8217;s still the leader of the pack. He8217;s got to lead from the front. This is not just about his cricket alone; his conversation skills, the ability to handle external issues deftly are all a part of his job. Education matters a lot here,8221; he says.

The mention of the word 8216;education8217; during captaincy debates here these days means rooting for the Lahore Institute of Management and Technology8217;s MBA holder Misbah-ul Haq as a replacement.

Ask Alam about Misbah and his MBA and he says, 8220;Theses little things matter a lot. He8217;s playing well too, which is a huge bonus for any captain.8221; History shows that education 8212; or rather the knowledge of the Queen8217;s language 8212; is a factor when it comes to captaincy. Former Pakistan opener Rameez Raja says, 8220;I was once offered captaincy only because I could speak English.8221;

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In case of Lawson, things are different. Ask Alam why the coach needs to be replaced and he puts a counter question: 8220;Aren8217;t the reasons already obvious?8221;

But when it comes to the rumours of him replacing, Alam isn8217;t very clear. 8220;Let8217;s see,8221; he says. He even refuses to speak about Punjab Cricket Association8217;s coaching offer.