Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over his team’s ODI series victory over Ireland but stressed the need for good relationship between the players and team management on tours. Insisting that it was extremely important to have a good relationship between the players and the management on tours, Intikhab admitted that the team spirit during the most part of the West Indies series was not very high. “Yes, there was very good spirit in Ireland as I would say there was for most of the time in the West Indies. I’ve always felt that it’s very important that there is a good relationship between the players and the management on tours and a good atmosphere,” Intikhab was quoted by Pakpassion website.
Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt decided to sack Afridi after getting a report from Intikhab on the reported differences between the captain and head coach Waqar Younis on selection and other issues. The differences apparently were so serious that Afridi had to be persuaded to play in the last two One-dayers that Pakistan lost, although it won the five-match rubber 3-2. Intikhab, meanwhile, backed his players’ performance in Ireland, where Pakistan won the two-match ODI series 2-0. “The boys did very well in what I would call very trying conditions for Pakistan. It was extremely cold, especially having just arrived from a tour of the Caribbean and the boys really felt the change in temperature.”
“I was really pleased with the attitude, the guts and determination from the squad and it’s heartening for the future,” he said. Intikhab also heaped praises on Cricket Ireland for their hospitality in hosting the Pakistan team in Belfast and also had some words of encouragement for the Irish cricketers. “Ireland played some good cricket over the course of the two matches in Belfast. They’ve done very well and are an improving side.”
