To be honest the first thing I expected after the humiliating debacle against Bangladesh was joint resignation from their positions by Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis. But the two instead of accepting responsibility for Pakistan team’s dismal performance in the Asia Cup, have chosen to find fault in the team. Shahid Afridi while trying to talk to Rameez Raja like a thoroughbred Englishman went as far as to declare that this kind of performance by the players wouldn’t take the team anywhere in the World Cup.
“Something different was required to produce better results”, he stated.
I wish he had realized that the biggest question mark had risen against his own captaincy and usefulness as a batsman.
Had he gone on to declare that ‘enough was enough as far as his ownself was concerned and he had decided to retire with immediate effect, he would have become an instant hero, instead of being reduced by his former fans to the level of a clown.
But Shahid Afridi is no longer a cricketer. He is a businessman. He needs cricket to enhance his business fortunes. And Pakistan is made to pay for his business ambitions. Who is responsible if not the PCB chairman? And that other fellow too, who shares power with him in the PCB. Mr. Najam Satti.
Waqar Younis has been a great cricketer. But he is a frowning coach. He carries grudges. He is seldom seen smiling.
A leader has to be both authoritative and inspiring. Waqar Younis quite clearly is wanting in this respect. Moreover he needs a break after this humiliation.
