**KARACHI, Mar 24: **Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Naseem Ashraf, who tendered resignation after Pakistan’s dismal World Cup performance, appears to be having second thoughts about his decision to quit.
Well placed sources in the Board said Ashraf was trying to create a lobby which could convince Board’s Patron-in-Chief President Pervez Musharraf to reject his resignation.
“He is now keen to continue and is using his connections to make Musharraf not accept his resignation,” one source said.
Musharraf by virtue of being the Chief Patron of the Board appoints the Chairman, who than makes other appointments in the Board, in the ad-hoc system prevalent in the PCB since 1999.
Ashraf, infact, told a press conference in Islamabad last night that he would continue to function as Chairman as long as the President did not convey a decision on his resignation.
“If he wants me to continue I have no problems doing that. I resigned because I felt that was morally the right thing to do after the World Cup debacle as I am in charge of the Board,” Ashraf said.
He said he had no idea why Musharraf had not taken a decision on his resignation as yet.
But sources said Ashraf might eventually end up disappointed as the former head of the National Accountability Bureau, a brainchild of Musharraf, was in consideration to take charge of cricket affairs.
Hafeez, a former military man who retired from his post as NAB chief recently, sources said had been called to the President’s house this week and cricket matters were discussed with him.
“Hafeez in the past was offered this powerful post but due to his other duties didn’t accept it,” one source said.
Musharraf himself has said that steps would be taken to put things right in Pakistan cricket and admitted he was as disappointed as the nation with the team’s woeful performance in the tournament that included a loss to minnows Ireland.
The daily ‘Jang’ on Saturday carried a story quoting the Director cricket operations of the Board as appealing to Musharraf not to accept the resignation of Ashraf.
Saleem Altaf, himself a former Test player said he did not believe Ashraf was responsible for the World Cup debacle and for this the blame went on the players, coach and selectors.
It is no secret that some people including Board officials and former Test players are not happy over the accolades being showed on the Bob Woolmer, who was murdered in Kingston last Sunday.
Musharraf’s decision to announce the highest civilian award, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for Woolmer on Pakistan day has left many people unhappy who point out that Woolmer failed to bring about any significant improvement in the team’s performance and is equally to blame for the World Cup debacle.
“What is happening is mind boggling. Today they are making a hero out of Woolmer because he has died. But the truth is he could do nothing for Pakistan cricket and is responsible for leaving us on zero ground after three and half years as coach of a highly talented team,” a former Test captain said without wanting to be named.
“The truth is that the people who hired him on a lucrative salary and perks should also be held accountable for playing around with the destiny of Pakistan cricket.”
“Woolmer made a number of mistakes as coach and Pakistan cricket paid for it,” the well-known former batsman said referring to Pakistan’s wrong decision to bat first after winning the toss on a seaming track against the West Indies in the 2004 Champions Trophy in England.
“Two Champions Trophy and one World Cup were disasters for us. We failed to win a Test series against any of the top four or five teams and we have not uncovered any new talent in the last three years and yet Woolmer is being acknowledged for his services to Pakistan cricket,” the player fumed.
Waqai, bay-gariti aur dhitai ki intaha hai. Lagta hai sharam naam ki koi cheez inheen chu kay bhee nahi guzri.
Also, I think this ex Pakistan captain making these comments is Javed Miandad. Well, no matter who he is, I just don’t understand why everyone starts blaming the coach for such defeats. A cricket coach can only help a batsman or a bowler improve his technique, and help team make a game plan. He’s not like the American Football coach who is calling the plays. What happens on the field is completely the players’ responsibility and no coach in the world can control how a batsman plays a certain delivery or how a bowler bowls in a pressur cooker situation. I think Bob did an excellent job with our players and the disaster that happened in the world cup is totally the players’ and the PCB administrator’s responsibility and they are the ones who should be held accountable for it.
