Bat and ball / Paul Moon / 29 October 2008 /

Many dsigraceful things have been said about outgoing Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson but, amidst player defections, security risks and a rampantly political board, he never had a chance, says Paul Moon.

Once again I find it difficult to appreciate the problems dogging Pakistan cricket. Last week they displayed a callous disregard for sacked coach Geoff Lawson. No one would deny them the right to hire and fire but the manner in which they have done it has soiled cricket.

On Tuesday the new PCB chief Ijaz Butt told him that he would be retained until his contract ended in April 2009. By Friday he had been sacked with immediate effect. Player defections, suicide bombings and a rampantly political board marred his 15-month coaching tenure giving him no chance of success!

I found many things said about Lawson despicable but perhaps the worst was the repeated chimes by Butt when he called him 'a useless man'. This prompted me to remind myself of Ijaz Butt and the effectiveness and worth of his career, it does not make great reading.

Significantly, since Butt took over on 7 October 2008 a number of senior officials in the board and team management have either resigned or been forced out.

Former Pakistan captains Imran Khan and Javed Miandad have correctly and publicly defended Lawson claiming he cannot be responsible for the stagnation of the domestic cricket structure or the player's attitudes.

Historically the PCB seems oblivious to discipline and what policy they have is inconsistent. They need to separate politics and sport. It is unacceptable for the head of state to appoint the PCB Chairman. Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, appointed the 70-year-old Butt, who played just eight Tests for Pakistan and, conveniently, is the brother-in-law of a senior government minister. It is within these areas and conditions that corruption thrives.

The tempestuous Shoaib Akhtar candidly represents the worst and best of Pakistan cricket. This once great bowler is presently embroiled in a legal battle with the PCB over an 18-month ban and seven million rupee fine imposed on him by an appellate tribunal. This was imposed for several violations of discipline.

Another miscreant but match-winning bowler is Mohammad Asif. He is currently suspended by the board for having tested positive in a dope test in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL's drug inquiry tribunal will decide his fate next month. Pakistan needs both bowlers to be available early next year for the India series if they want to compete.

Inzamam's retirement and a lack of interest amongst players and fans for Test cricket exacerbate the situation. There is a lack of unity and hard work. The PCB lurch from crisis to crisis compounding their mistakes.

The reappointment of Intikhab Alam will not instill discipline or raise fitness levels. He is a manager not a coach. The players will run this stopgap ragged whilst reminding him of the era difference.

Butt had made it clear he wanted a home grown player to coach Pakistan but apart from Imran Khan I am not sure if he exists? Some would say that foreign coaches don't work there but they require someone calm, balanced and determined with a vision.

With the exception of Bob Woolmer who had almost completed three years in the job, there have been 12 sackings or resignations since September 1998. That's an average of one every seven months. Pakistan cricket need to resist their impulsive nature not nurture it! Would a talented foreign coach want this job after so much acrimony? I doubt it!

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