Imran Khan wants Zia to quit

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1

I totally agree with him.
Why punish only players.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?artid=40566102
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Imran Khan wants Zia to quit
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ISLAMABAD: Legendary all-rounder Imran Khan has joined the relentless blame-game in Pakistan cricket saying PCB Chief Tauqir Zia should quit to make way for someone who has “guts” and Wasim Akram should take over the reins of the skipper from Waqar Younis on a short-term basis.

The former captain also hinted that he was not averse to taking up the job of Pakistan Cricket Board chief but stressed that any decision would not be easy. “I have not given a thought to it (the job). It is not easy for me to take a decision - to decide that I can just go and take over,” Imran was quoted as saying in The News.

“As a matter of fact I am in the opposition and I do not see any offer forthcoming,” Imran said adding he did not want to take any “favour” from the government.

Imran, who turned a politician and severed links with President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s military regime ahead of last year’s general elections, said the PCB needed an immediate overhaul, especially after the team’s World Cup debacle.

“In my opinion the essential thing is, the PCB should be run by a person who either has guts to deal with the vested interests or have the understanding to bring about institutional changes. The present Board has neither the guts to take on the vested interests or the understanding of developing country’s first-class cricket,” he said.

Imran firmly believed the “regressive” domestic cricket structure coupled with “lifeless wickets” was killing the talent. “Unless he (Zia) is prepared to make drastic changes to his strategy, this team is going to go down further because they do not have replacements in the shadow,” Imran said.

Imran also dismissed the three member inquiry committee appointed by PCB as “irrelevant” and said “absolutely nothing” would come out of it.

“The solution (to be put forward by the committee) will be like treating cancer with a Disprin. They will find some minor things but the big question is that Pakistan cricket is on the decline,” he said.

Imran said he favoured Wasim Akram to be appointed skipper for a short term. “But I am not sure about his fitness condition at the Test level. You need him to groom a future captain for the Pakistan team,” he said.

The World Cup winning skipper also castigated PCB for appointing foreign coaches and spending large sums of money on them.

2

I dont think that's going to happen. In my view the day these Army Generals decide to go back to their Barracks and leave PCB for the cricketers to handle, Pakistan cricket will be back to old days again.

Everyone is asking for Waqar's head, forgetting that not a single player performed well in his team. Captains dont have a magic stick, they need the remaining 10 players to perform.

3

I agree on Imran to some extent, changing domestic circuit in Pakistan will defintely improve the upcoming talents.
With the exception of Afridi, we have the worst fielding side in the world, we need professionals to do the job, and I don't even know if Pakistan has a fielding coach.
I think Gen Zia has done good to PCB but if he is going to be successfull in future, the changes need to be as soon as possible and they have to be huge, some sacrifices are going to be needed.

4

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *

I think Gen Zia has done good to PCB
[/QUOTE]

Can you explain what are the good things he has done??

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
Everyone is asking for Waqar's head, forgetting that not a single player performed well in his team.
[/quote]

WRONG!

Wasim, Saeed and Latif performed great.

6

Zia is really dumb.....eveytime he extended waqars term as captain.....he said it was on a fitness basis....if waqar is fit he should be captain.....this is wrong.....a captain should be able to lead the team properly, make decisions and have the rite kind of cricketing brains rather than just being fit!
the PCB should be run by former cricketers rather than army generals!

7

Zia is always extending the captaincy...agreed....

8

I read a much longer version of the interview in the Jang, and every point he made was absolutely 100% correct. The failure to create a regional cricket structure is something which Imran has been complaining about for 15 years has not been addressed by anybody at the top, and simply sacking coaches or managers isn't going to change that.

I will post the full interview if I can get a hold of it because I think there are a lot of important questions that the PCB need to answer related to it (and they needed answering before the WC debacle).

9

I think instead of focusing on changing the Cricketing structure, we should change our wickets, some bouncy and lively wickets and we will have players who will be able to play anywhere in the world.

10

Are you kidding me? We don’t want to give the Indians any more reasons (other than the terrorist threat) to not visit us. :hehe:

11

Just for the sake of the public I think regional teams need to be introduced like in every other country that plays the game. I think there would be a lot more interest in Karachi v Rawalpindi than Habib Bank v United Bank.

I think it would be a lot more healthy for the game in the long run as well.

12

Also, when we mention International players' history when they come out to bat, it should be noted what regional team he played for. Just like the English counties and Aussie clubs are mentioned.

13

I am quite skeptical that Imran would be able to carry these dual portfolios of cricket and opposition..if offered a position in PCB (at all).

He is clear-headed no doubt and quite a no-nonsense guy as well. It would be interesting how would he reign in Shoaib. :~)

14

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Just for the sake of the public I think regional teams need to be introduced like in every other country that plays the game. I think there would be a lot more interest in Karachi v Rawalpindi than Habib Bank v United Bank.

I think it would be a lot more healthy for the game in the long run as well.
[/QUOTE]

Very true. People should be able to associate with the team and be passionate about it.Best way to do is make regional teams.
Once some money start flowing in it can change a lot.

15

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Khanzada: *
It would be interesting how would he reign in Shoaib. :~)
[/QUOTE]

Shoaib is not greater than the game itself. Let me assure you, imran nor anyone else can change Shoaib unless he himself wants to change. If he doesn't, then he can take the highway. Simple.

16

Domestic cricket is played between clubs which doesnt appeal to the masses because there is no sense of belonging to a "club".

Regional matches like Hyderabad vs Karachi vs Lahore vs Islamabad vs Multan etc etc would be too awesome. I fear however, knowing pakistani spectators, those matches will give way for lots of rioting and unnecessary bloodshed.