`Quality will improve if India, Pakistan play more frequently’

A lot of problems, Mushtaq believes, are due to a complete lack of professionalism when it comes to managing the game. “Take Pakistan cricket for instance. Our cricket is in disarray at the moment, in total turmoil, mainly because of the people who run it. The players are under tremendous pressure, and have to deal with it constantly. The coaches keep changing overnight, and the controversies are not good for the image of the team or the country.”

Mushtaq was also adamant that the best thing for India and Pakistan, would be to start playing each other regularly. “Because of the political tension, I played India only twice,” said Mushtaq. In 1960 and then again when Bedi’s (Bishan Singh) boys came down in 1978. But the experience of playing India was unbelieveable. There was a spirit that is not there while playing other countries, you put in so much more. It is an incomparable feeling.”

“Given this,” he added, “If India and Pakistan play each other regularly, it is guaranteed that we will produce quality cricketers,” he said.

The major thing needed, he said, was a good coach. “It’s good that Pakistan did not bring in a foreign coach finally. It will be a sad day for our cricket when we, blessed with immense talent, bring in a foreigner to oversee our lads. Javed (Miandad) is young and will be good for the team.”

On being asked whether there were problems between senior members of the team, Mushtaq was at first reluctant to say anything much, simply saying that as he did not play now, he could not really comment. He later added though, “Players should play as a unit when on the field, whatever their hassles off the field. Yes, sometimes people do have problems with each other, but it is something that can be tackled when they are playing for their country.”

That is where the coach comes in, he said. “He has to be someone who can lift the team and a good communicator. He has to be able to react in different situations. For instance, the coach has been able to tell the team how to handle sledging when facing teams that do sledge. This is important.”

Mushtaq, incidentally, is staying with Bedi for a few days before going back. The rest of the panel left over Tuesday night and Wednesday.