When we thought that the Pakistan Crisis Board couldn’t flabbergast us any further with its management, it has surpassed all expectations by giving us another what-the-heck moment. The appointment of chief selector as interim coach for the series against Sri Lanka beggars belief. The dubiety of his coaching credentials aside, there are many other reasons that make this decision utterly wrong.
Firstly, why was somebody who was already involved with the coaching and administration of the team not chosen? Choosing somebody who was already embedded in the setup would’ve given some continuity and stability to a team ravaged by vicissitudes of the whims of the top management. Secondly, the appointment of Mr Khan will do no favours to a team already fragmented into many lobbies and politicised to the hilt. When people see such blatant favouritism and open disregard for merit, the only logical conclusion to get ahead is to get a shoulder and join the rat race.
The fact that he was chosen as interim coach is irrelevant. He was the wrong choice for this particular post and he shouldn’t have been assigned even temporarily. His appointment inspires no faith rather convinces one that the choice for permanent coach will also be made on superfluous considerations.
It reminds me of a Punjabi folk anecdote where a donkey falls into a well and the local maulvi is contacted as to how to solve the problem. He says to take out 17 buckets of water to purify the well. They do it once but since the donkey is still in there, they have to keep doing it repeatedly instead of doing the obvious: taking the donkey out. Our approach to managing cricket is much the same.
KAMIL HASSAAN
Lahore
