October 14 Monday 2002
Zia's resignation not good for Pakistan cricket - Waqar 

SHARJAH: The resignation of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Tauqeer Zia would not help cricket in his country, Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis said on Sunday. Zia submitted his resignation to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after the team lost the second test against Australia inside two days on Saturday. "I don't know what's going to happen, but his resignation is sad news. I really don't think the chairman should take the blame for our defeat," Waqar said. "Since I don't have more details I can't comment further." Pakistan lost the second test after making a total of just 112 runs -- the fourth worst in test history. 

Their first innings of 59 on Friday was a record low for the country in a test, but that mark lasted for just one day. After Australia had made 310 in reply, Pakistan were skittled out for just 53 in their second innings. Pakistan's new coach Richard Pybus was also concerned at the timing of Zia's resignation. "I really am at a loss to say anything on this subject, but yes, this development could have a disruptive effect on our preparations for the third test," Pybus said. "I don't think by taking any reactive actions to our defeat is going to help this team in the long run." PROPER PERSPECTIVE Pybus insisted that the defeat had to be looked at in the proper perspective. 

"I would ask people back in Pakistan to keep in perspective the age of the players, the amount of tests they have played and look at our opposition," Pybus told a press conference on Sunday. He pointed out that only recently the second best team in the world, South Africa, were hammered by Australia, losing five matches in six tests. "And that South Africa side was much stronger than ours. 

So it's a learning curve for our players, they are learning the literacy of test cricket," he added. "Give us time so that we can identify the players -- this cannot be an overnight thing. "I have been with the boys for just over two weeks and we need time to address to weaknesses. It needs three to six months." The 38-year-old Pybus also noted that some of the key players who formed the nucleus of Pakistan's batting line-up were injured. "If you have Younis (Khan) at three, (Yousuf) Youhana at fourth and Inzamam-ul Haq at five, this is a world class middle order," Pybus said. "Look at the amount of the pressure on Younis now because he knows he is looked at for runs and he has played just 23 tests and is the only one who has an average of over 40." 

Pybus also disclosed that he had spoken to Zia on Sunday morning. "I gave my perspective on the defeat," he said. "It was a very disappointing performance but we can take positives from that -- we have started to identify some players who can play test cricket. BRIGHT FUTURE "I told (him) about where we are now and that I need the opportunity to work with the boys. I told him I am very confident that the future is very bright for Pakistan cricket. "But we need to do things patiently." 

Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team management turned down a request from their Australian counterparts to start the third and final test a day earlier then the scheduled October 19. Organisers confirmed that the Australian manager Steve Bernard had spoken to the Pakistan management and match referee Clive Lloyd to find if it was possible. But Lloyd informed him that the request had to be made at board level. 

However, the Pakistan team management is not in favour of starting the test a day early and this has been conveyed to the Australians.