What's more he has annoyed the team and management by hanging out with them on tour like some sort of star-struck groupie, worse still a groupie who has got involved with team matters. In short, I hold him responsible for orchestrating this disaster.

President Mushy's decision does make sense from one viewpoint, however. Pakistan has too long tolerated power without responsibility. If Ashraf were to be seen to be taking responsibility for his cock-ups then the president, in his position of patron of Pakistan cricket, might have to accept some responsibility too. Now we couldn't have that could we?

A while ago I said it wasn't time to abandon hope. I never abandon hope but when it comes to Pakistan cricket I've never felt closer to it.

The General, The Diplomat,and the Doctor have all graced the position of chairman.

Perhaps it is time the President Busharraf considered appointing a Cricketer to be head off cricket.

As for Nasim Ashraf if he had any Honour he would have resigned.Rather than engaging in a P.R. stunt.It is quite clear he had no intention off resigning. We had a similar situation with Tauqir Zia who tended his resignation and than had it rejected by the President Busharraf.

I don't why you wanna talk about cricket agian
all money games adversting and just money...money
i promised myself i am not gonna to watch cricket anymore thats it go and get other sports
player will play cricket not dollers

HEY Kamran i do remember sending a post on this blog ...... i was in response to the pak losing to ireland and Bob Woolmer subsquent death. I tried to see if that post was accepted. howev eri couldnt see it any where... but if it had i would have reffered to that when i said it should be people like the PCB chairman who should utlimatley take the blame.... guess after reading your article i should congratulate myself for some forward thinking...........

Salam All. To be honest Kamran this was expected just when you think it can not get any worse it does. Why not be a man accept his resignation and resign yourself musharrif? you dont know jack. You have embarassed us enough so please get a grip and accept responsibility but.............. like your going to do that hey?

In Army they quote" When rape is inevitable then enjoy it" , sorry for any offence.
I think that we are running out of options, I think that PCB himself has been involved in everything. They have a vision of self-destruction. Patron has decided to ruin industry, institutuions, parliment, integrity, polictic and what not. We are lucky that Pakistan is not on sale right now but later on DNA, SA, Mushy, Inzy, Bari, Benazir, Nawaz will buy pakistan after a combined biding.

Give the guy a break. He had no control over Doping scandals, Ball tempering or World Cup disaster. He has only been in power for five months. The downfall of this team had started long before that. I think its time to let go of people like shoaib, Inzimam and Mushtaq. somebody like Aamir sohail needs to come back for a clean up job.

Fantastic, President Mushy well it should be "Mush the Bushy" (may be bush has ordered the appointment of Cheemi(Ashraf).
Well on serious not ,PCB needs a constituton for proper functioning,lets give cheemi three more months and see, if he can constitutionalize PCB that more then enough from him,as his predecessors failed to do so. "Hope is a good thing and no good thing ever dies" (Shawshank)

Somethings never change, do they?
This is possibly the best chance Pakistan cricket had for a complete shake up and start its innings afresh. Too bad, that Prez Mush killed the chance

Why can't the PCB run like a professional corporation? Why does it need a patron (St. Musharraf) as if we still had a colonial Governor-General? What qualifications does the good doctor possess to run a multimillion dollar sporting organization? These questions need to be seriously answered. Perhaps the solution is to import an executive -- someone dumb enough to work in Pakistan. Any takers?

I CANNOT BELIEVE this, however, in Pakistan nothing is permissible but, everything is possible. You've hit the nail on the wall Kamran, I wish it was not a wall but a coffin, but then its my 'fishful' thinking. This is all petty politics and it makes you think...... WHY??????

By rejecting Ashraf's resignation the President has actually rejected the feelings of the entire nation. The nation was demanding his resignation and very rightly so. Now, that he has been reinstated he has announced his determination to revamp everything! Gosh, ab anjaam-e-gulistan kya hoga?

Kamran, don't loose hope, na umeedi kufr hai.....I know you like Qawallis and Sufiana Kalam but here is a song for you:

Dil na umeed toh nahee, na kaam hee toh hai
Lambee hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hee toh hai
Yeh safar bahot hai kathin magar, na udaas ho meray "hum-chatter"!

TELL THIS DR TO GET OFF OF THIS COUNT RY AND LIVE IN US AND TELL THAT BLIND ASS PRESIDENT MUSHY TO GET OFF THIS COUNTRY AND GET OFF TO HIS REAL JOB I CANT EVEN THINK TO WATCH OR SUPPORT PAKISTAN OR PAKISTAN CRICKET ANY MORE BCZ OF THESE SUCKERS

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajiun - We are from Allah and to Him are we returning (ch 2 vs 156)

Get ready for Pakistan cricket getting into an even worse state than what it is currently. No captain, no coach, no selection committee and now an unchanged chairman. What does Mr. Nasim possibly know about cricket ? His knowledge is about par with mine, why not make me chairman of PCB? I will probably do a better job. Unfortunately, I am not in the habit of lifting up balls ( and I dont mean cricket balls). Better yet, our President should visit Lahore Zoo and select any monkey from there. It just could not possibly get any worse for PCB. I despair for Pakistan cricket but the malaise affecting it is the same affecting our whole country i.e. cronyism, nepotism and corruption.

...........AND Kamran, the news itself is very disgusting SO, why do you have to keep showing us ASH's UGLY MUG SHOT everytime on this blog? Please remove the picture and replace it with a Orangutan or a Chimpanzee.

Why or why has the president got to do with cricket? I think he has better things to do like "sort the country out"

Bob: "Since the resignation of the last Chairman any views I have had have not been wanted! The new Chairman certainly has his own way"
WHAT!!!! WHATT!! EVen Woolmer CONCEDED!! This Quote should be the Headlines tomorrow!! Someone contct Dawn and all the rest of 'em papers! I always had a feeling that Inzy's 'domineering' was more to do with ashraf tellin him how 2 do everything rather than Inzy himself..anyways thats my take on the issue...
and this is a desperately sad sad sad news i think...unbeleivable....i'm out of words...

I think President Musharraff still thinks he is the sole proprietor of PCB and he can retain any individual he pleases as top person. PCB should be democratically governed otherwise in coming years we will see more disaster then we are seeing now. A business man from US is allowed to govern cricket is beyond my or anyone comprehension.

Outstanding post, Kamran. I completely share your sentiments.

Naseem Ashraf has presided over some of the worst times Pakistan cricket has faced and still doesn't have the shame to walk away. It has been suggested that Naseem Ashraf was having second thoughts after tendering his resignation. And that he himself was orchestrating support from within the cadres of power so that the dictator would reject the good doctor's resignation.

Naseem Ashraf, imo, is the second worst chief the PCB has ever had after the deranged, bipolar, borderline psychotic, hormonal mess that was the good general - Tauqeer Zia.

I can't believe that they wasted a coach like Woolmer. Anywhere else in the world, they would have listened to him and his ideas. But we wasted our time with him and learnt nothing.

And with men like Naseem Ashraf at the helm and Tauqeer Zia offering to come back "for the sake of the nation", we're in for some more turbulent times.

surely cricket will distruct , no hopes remain now, feel sorry for pakistan cricket....!

Although i agree with the overall comment, Naseem Ashraf has only had less than six months in the job and unfortunately presided over the worst chaos in the Pakistan cricket history.May be we should only judge him after,lets say, 18 months from now and see what he can achieve-mind you, from here the only way is up!For my money though, Imran Khan, having volunteered his services is the man for the job and the occasion. I sincerely hope the powers that be make use of his unquestionable ability, committment and the reqired authoritativeness to take Pakistan cricket out of the mire and right to the top-It would be criminal if all that 'talent'was not utilised to bring out the talent that only Pakistan truly possesses!Most importantly we must rebuild-in every sense of the word-an opportunity created by adversity but one not to be missed if Pakistan cricket is to excel at the highest level.

We need some one like a Kerry Packer to rescue Indian and Pakistani Cricket from the farcical BCCI and PCB. Unless Cricket is managed by a Private and professional organization the future looks bleak. Politicians and their minions highjacking the game is the final straw and there seems to be no hope in sight.

Kamran

A few key point I like to raise as an irate fan and someone who is very passionate about the Pakistan cricket.

What does Naseem Ashraf (NA) know about cricket or indeed general Parvez Musharaf (GPM). Even thoughj as administrators are required they have failed, what Pakistan needs is a corporate structure for the PCB, chairman who looks after the commercial side and all the other paperwork like booking the hotels and tours and general day to day running, however an independent director of cricket is required and it is he who needs to decide the coaching staff, captain and THE DEVELOPMENT of PAKISTAN CRICKET.

The PCB should be independent of the government, NA needs to be kicked out and fast, the only way to do this is the fan to boycott the games and until he goes we do not spend our hard earned rupees, dollars, pounds or any currency that will benefit the PCB, yes this will have detriment effect for the short term but can it get any worse.

NA & GPM have no broad vision for Pakistan cricket, this is where the likes of Imran Khan should be taken on a part time basis if his commitment allow to re structure cricket at first class, club and grassroots level. Non of this is cheap but to preserve Pakistan cricket it must be done. GPM and his cronies will never have this vision, as this vision can only be seen by a cricketer or the passionate fan like me and you.

Please, please, please do not involve Miandad he has had his chance,

Umar Rashid
Pakistan fan Bham UK

With you on this one. I have never felt this close to the PAK team. The last 6 months has been harder for them than it has for us. A lot of sympathy but also a lot of frustration because the talent is all there. Hopefully we can rise from the ashes.

This is absolutely pathetic. Just when you think the situation cant get any worse the so called "THINK TANK" ,which is mostly TANK than THINK, comes up with another stupid decision. Naeem Ashraf is a doctor, his speciality is kidney treatment, if a man cannot do the job he studied for he certainly cant do any other job for which he is not trained. Why is our PATRON sleeping. This is a clear cut case of nepotism and situation will only get worse. Naeem Ashraf will do a Musharraf and stay another 8 years till Fiji Islands defeats Pakistan...only then he will believe his mission is accomplished.

... and what really makes my mind go ballistic is that Ashraf has been going around thanking people for "their continued support". Woof...I guess I'm existing in a different reality because it couldn't have been otherwise. Who are those people giving him that continued support? Where did they come from? Mars?

Kamran, that is why I've been advocating realism throughout. Your optimism is just fine but welcome to reality my dear. Welcome to Pakistan. This really is the rock bottom. Where do we go from here?

Kamran have you read Atlas Shrugged or Fountainhead? You will find your answers there. This Nasim Ashraf won't go away before destroying everything (he knew that his resignation would not be accepted that is why he gave). Mediocrity prevails. But sorry this is not mediocrity even, stupidity prevails - should I say?

I certainly think that its a mind bggling decison...i mean COME ON!!!
naseem ashraf is a **** ...damn HE's BAD

all i would like to say s that FOLKS....SAY GUD BYE to PAK CRICKET!!!!

Who the hell is Mushy to decide this anyways. This idiotic dumbass probably failed as a medical practitioner just as failed as a cricketer and has used his connections to become the head of an institution that is so close to the hearts of most Pakistanis. It's not as if we have too many sports to look forward to, at least be responsible in administrating in the one you have. What makes this idiot more qualified than someone like me? What's next? Wasim Bari's resignation being refused also?

Join the darkside Kamran. After 35 years of following our cricket team, after today's decision I have officially abandoned hope. Even if by some miracle Ashraf acts on a business place I had given to him a while back and turns the game around, whats the use? Some new appointee will come along at some point in the future and we will be back at ground zero. As your title says, "Power Without Responsibility" its the law of the land in Pakistan and at least as far as our cricket is concerned I am not going to let it impact my life anymore. So while I have enjoyed your blogs and have posted comments often, I say goodbye to you and to all the other contributors at this forum. I have already wasted too much time and too many words on Pakistan cricket. I refuse to do so any more.

KAMRAN YOU AND WE ALL CAN ONLY WRITEAND READ BUT CANT DO ANYTHING IN THIS COUNTRYONLY IMPORTED PEOPLES LIKE THIS DOCTOR WHO ONLY KNOW JUST TO GO OUT IN NETS IN PRACTICE WITH PLAYERS
AND AS LONG AS THIS MUSHY IS THERE I MEAN PRESIDENT MUSHY
ITS GOING TO BE THE SAME
YOU ,LL SEE WRITE IT DOWN
NO CONSTITUION IN WHOLE COUNTRY HOW CAN IT BE IN PCB
ALL

It just goes to show, the big wigs in Cricket would rather see Pak Cricket as a Bunch of Full Time Failers. If you ask me President Mushy should keep to what he know best!!! I'm assuming it politics. because what he has done is politically damage the team in the face of the ever hungry public media. I think we will all in the next 12-24 months see the demise of the Pak Cricket team. Well Done President Mushy.

What can one say, Its the story of Pakistan. It breaks my heart because its not just cricket its the same for everything.I have been saying it in my previous posts too the Musharraf is the root of the problem. Why would a unelected dictator want an elected cricket system, who gives Musharraf the right to choose who should be the president of PCB.I see no hope , non what so ever. Its not just cricket but everything. May be its time that the whole nation join the brave lawers in a nationwide protest. ITS TIME TO WAKE UP PAKISTAN

Yes Kamran, it’s indeed diabolic and disastrous decision. The General is showing that he’s a true dictator and it’s not just the government that he controls but PCB too! Until we have involvement of politics, nepotism and mismanagement in PCB or any other department of Pakistan we should not expect anything better except chaos and more disaster. A man who does not even understand cricket is a chief of the board! I can run PCB better than Nasim Ashraf but I think I need to approach our honourable Mushy first and make acquaintance!! If the president of the country does not want to listen to the voices of millions of people and expertise then who will make him listen? Can you suggest any solution to me Kamran?
I believe actions speak louder than words. While we all moan, grumble and show our anger and concerns through media but the point is what difference is this going to make to those who are running the puppet show? This is falling on deaf ears of those who are determined for the destruction of country including PCB! If people are powerful enough to elect the governments then they should be powerful enough to raise their concerns about PCB and force the authorities to show some common sense before the public start coming out in the streets and demand for an eligible PCB chief, coach, captain and selection committee.

In my opinion Younas Khan can not be a good captain as I think he has not got the right ingredients. He does not play sensible cricket himself and every time I hear him saying something on TV he always shows that he does not care about anything what the hell is going on. He just gives a carefree smile that looks sillier to me to be honest. We need a man who can be responsible, sensible and strong with good strategy mind and consults with his team mates and leads from the front like Imran Khan. I know Imran has been backing him for captaincy and the reason could be that he’s a Pathan!! But again there should be right criteria for being a successful captain. A man like Imran Khan who talks about justice, change in the system and eradication of corruption is also biased to back Younas Khan who does not deserve to be a captain. We have all seen how he did in the champions Trophy in India!!! Do we need any more puppet shows before the higher authorities are convinced that he is not a right choice no matter what. Younas is short tempered, impatient and care free and I do not see a good captain in him. However I’d back up another Pathan that is Shahid Afridi. No matter how carefree he has been in his shot selection in the past but I think responsibility will take the best out of him and he will be more mature and sensible. He has been a captain of local Karachi team and he shows aggressiveness in the ground which is the only way to beat opposition in modern day’s cricket.

In the end all I will say that despite all the horror episode and repeat performance of 1st stage elimination in a WC our Board does not want to listen to anybody. They give a damn to you, me, all the other millions of fans and experts across the country. Are you going to waste your energy on these dictators who do not understand any language of decency at all!!! To hell with Mushy and PCB, who the f***k cares?? They want us to be mere spectators and nothing else. Clap when they do well and moan, grumble and be quiet and calm after we have lost all our energies! Nothing is going to change……

"The most disastrous period in this history of Pakistan cricket?" Get a grip. We lost to Ireland after being asked to bat first on a grassy pitch. Before the World Cup, we played extremely competitive Test cricket against South Africa in South Africa. Sure, we sucked in the World Cup, but that doesn't change the fact that in the last couple of years, Pakistan has become one of the most feared teams in the world, second probably only to Australia.

Where else is the chairman / head of cricket or any other sport appointed by the head of state?
Imran Khan would be my choice for the post but he has higher ambitions. Yes power should be with responsibility and repercussions but what credentials ( other than being Mushy's pal) does Ashraf bring? Now that his resignation not being accepted - he shoud be "fired"
Yes power should be with responsibility but can not afford to continue with Ashraf. If only Imran Khan could forgo his political ambitions and take over the leading role in building Pakistan cricket, think the nation would be better served.

I beleive, I understand, who ever I talk to does the same. It is time that is the best judge. Dr Nasim Ashraf and his performance over a period of time, and the consequences of his perfromance, decisions and sequence of operations can not be termed successful. The nation would much rather appreciate an educated man like Dr Ashraf to step aside with honor.
I always get frustrated with the people, us, we do not take the step, but then I ask the question what am I doing, how can I take the step. But I understand lots to do.

We need administrators in PCB not nose pokers. And let the coach, and the captain do the job.

Could'nt agree more - anyone with even an iota of dignity would have walked, head hung in shame. The arrogance of these men astounds me.

So in summary, after this debacle - nothing needs changing!

The Chairman sticks arounds - he can go hunting without access to e-mail or cellphone when his team gets knocked out of the world cup and the coach is murdered.

Inzamam sticks around, till his entire beard is white and the entire nation is bearded.

The stigma of Pakistan being a rouge nation of cheaters stays, with the added accolade of murderers.

While we are at it, lets concern Ghaddafi Stadium to a mosque as well! Lets take Zohr and Asr instead of lunch and tea.

What can I say. What a shameless bunch of losers. Checking out of cricket. Will re-assess in 5-6 years.

Asghar

Why can't we have a PCB chairman who is a ex-player like other countires? If we can't have it then why cant we have Sheheryar Khan back? Why cant we have a cricket board like other countries have, that is independent and democratic?

I guess the answer to these questions would be that ours is not a country like others, niether are its rulers like others.

I never thought that I would become such a negative person but what other choice do I have?
I will not be surprised if the promised PCB constitution never comes up. And I will not be surprised if Nasim Ashraf will perform one of his clown moves on pakistan cricket. Infact I might not feel a thing ... I am getting num.

And Mushy .... Rejectig the resignation was the esiest way for him, he wont have to find another chairman (or another pal) and his friend will continue to be the head of the most financially strong organisation of the country. Well Done!

Are you surprised that Mushy didnt accept his resignation? If you are then its mean you dont know anything about Pakistan. We all knew any rich institution in Pakistan will always be a target of corrupt mafia. Corruption could be many different kinds, such Ashraf traveling all over the world, and issuing statements after statements to stay in the media limelights. On top of that he will bring people for jobs like interpretor. Do we expect our players to go out and give statements or do we want them to perform? I am not surprise and will be keep seeing such selections as long as PCB is rich.

Each passing day plunges Pakistan cricket into new lows. I wonder when will this stop. Pakistan's loss to Ireland was heart breaking, Woolmer's death was tragic. But this decision today is mind blowing. If the last 5 months dont define failure, I am not sure what will. From handling of the steoid issue to the trip to Umarkot when the team had been knocked out and the coach was dead,I would like to ask Dr Nasim Ashraf, please name one instance when he meaningfully contributed to the cause of Pakistan cricket. I would also like to ask him that how does running Human Development Fund qualified him to run the most complex cricket setup in the world. I plead with you, Dr Ashraf, in the name of the game that millions of us love and worship, please quit. I am sure your friends in the governement will find you a spot somewhere when u can have ur place in the limelight. Please leave this game alone. Days like this, I feel nothing but disgust, mostly at myself, for loving this damn game so much.

This sucks, all that hope from fans that now Pakistani cricket may be rebuilt is gone. Musharraf sucks, he should resign first. He is the worst thing ever happened to Pakistan. I hate Musharraf the dictator

This is insane. Yes, Nasim Ashraf may have inhereted a PCB rife with problems, and not enough time to fix the issues six months prior to the world cup, but none of the actions he did implement warranted confidence. Not to forget the fact that there were plenty of factors that may even have contributed to world cup debacle.

Gah. More of the same... Those in power get a free ride to do anything, no matter how frustratingly incompetent it is...

The biggest stupid is President of Pakistan,here is one proof of that,so everything follows. What? Army of stupids.Half of them are in PCB. One sincere piece of advice to all die-hard Pakistani cricket fans, stop watching Pakistan cricket.

I do agree with the writer of this article. I am wondering what the President is thinking. I think he should have accepted the resignation and should have appointed Imran Khan as the PCB chairman. Because hes got the cricketing sense.But i think due to the ploitics or whatever the reasons,its not possible. But i suggest Mr.Nasim Ashraf to atleast appoint Imran Khan as the chairman of selectors because hes got the eye to pick a talent e.g look at Inzi, wasim, aqib javed, waqar, who has discovered them ????

I wuld like to know one thing about Mushy cronnie what credential one need to be PCB chairman other than that saying "You are right Sirji to the President and it you who would get the blame if you accept my resignation.He must be the top lackey in present day Pakistan

Musharraf should have no say in this matter. Who has given him the right to appoint leaders in cricket. The whole nation is against him being the patron. Imran Khan should have the loyalty and be made responsible for appointing key positions in cricket with a proper check and balance. I absolutely can not comprehend how Musharraf can think he can get involved with cricket. I do not care about politics, but in Pakistan cricket the joke is over, he has no right to be a dictator in cricket. Everyone knew this joke, that president will not accept the resignation, even Nasim Ashraf. It was another attempt to make the public fools. If I had the power, my first task would had been to find out "Who The hell is Musharraf to decide issues with cricket?"

Bang on!

This guy doesnt deserve this seat provided he is a qualified doctor.I my view it will be better if he is more of a physio then a dummy chairman.He has come up with new and rare form of failures and i just hope that it will not be followed by something like the exclusion of Pakistan team from the world cricket.As a Pak cric fan it will be the worst night mare.

Anyways best ov luck to whatever he does for the improvement and may be these comments take a turn over by a decent performances aginst india and in 20-20 world cup.
Lets pray and hope because these r the only artillery left.
Cheers

Kamran, just now when I have turned on my computer to do some important work, I just took a second in the begining to take a peek at cricinfo, as I always do, to have quick look for any latest news, and I'll be damned I saw what I was fearing to see since the time I heard the good news of the resignation of Dr. Nasim 'CLOWN' Ashraf. There is no second opinion about the charactor and calibre of Gen Mush, and his cronies are even worse. I can't tell you how disgusted, dismayed and anguised I am. We better say good bye to cricket just like we did to hockey and squash, as there is no hope now unless some miracle happen and these freakin clowns are thrown out on there sorry asses.

soo true.. mushy seems like ashrafs role model.. :/.. i was soo happy that this guy resigned... he messed up the entire world cup.. BURN IN HELL BITCH

Hats Off to Mr. Dictator.
You gave us another chance to feel embarrassed, I don't know how many more black days this nation is going to see. I thought this was the right time to bring some positive change but it appears that 'not happening'.

AS Mushy would not like to accept that he made a mistake in getting his pal PCB job He would like the rest of the country to suffer more Humiliation
I wish there is somebody in Pakistan who can stand up and say "The King is wearing no clothes"

Dear oh dear me! What a a shame! What a shame!
The King of Pakistan, hazrat musharraf dismisses the resignation of his beloved employee and faithful. Why shouldn;t he do that. After all its the king musharraf who has appointed him. Why should he leave the job when King Kong doesnt want him to leave. Its his words, his order, his wish that matters, thas most important. why should he care about the millions of broken hearts? why should he care about a lost and disgruntled generation which once idealised the likes of imran or akram but now would only have abuses for their so called heroes? Why should he be bothered at all? If our king is not answerable for his senseless misuse of power why would he dislike the way mr naseem ashraf is performing. This arguably is the worst time in pakistan cricket. Pakistan losing to baes of cricket. Serioud issues like dopind, ball tempering and now once again match fixing surrounds their cricket. Amongst all this we have a chairman who failed to produce any goods in a 6 month period he was with us. He allowed inzi to take full control of the team which ultimately detroyed all the hard work done by bob woolmer and gave us the worst possible preparations for the world cup. He encouraged distrust and rebellion in the team by reappointing Younis as captain. He didnt interfere in the selection policy or Wc preparations by saying that interference at this point would disturb the preparations.!!what preparations??? If he as a chairman can't help our team before they were going to an elite tournament as WC, what is his job then? Touring with pak team, spending people's tax money on his luxurious visits or making pictures with players as if he is a celebrity. Considering all the sad aspects of pakistan cricket in last 12 months this is yet another sad event for pak cricket. They needed fresh leadership,fresh blood,innovation and someone with a new agenda. People like wasim bari, saleem altaf and naseem ashraf are the villians of pakistan cricket and have destroyed a natural sports of a cricket mad country. I wish our badshah-e-salamat had a little courtesy and desire to know what his people want and had a little courage and vision to change the hopeless state of affairs. Hope against hope my countrymen. Unfortunately there is no hope.

Indeed it has been a painful experience. After the loss of 99 world cup i literally left cricket. This world cup was more like a comeback for me but it has been a disaster, even though my passion for cricket has grown but the desire to see our team succeed is now but a dream which is far from reality.

I have read much of your articles in pre and post world cup and have found true wisdom in them. Articles such as above should not be taken as blame game, rather these should be considered as eye openers and humble suggestion. Pakistan cricket has been devastated since the emergence of politics within the PCB. It seems as though Pakistani team has never been able to overcome the loss of 99 cup. With enormous amount of talent in Pakistan, it comes as a surprise that we have not been able to bring to solid openers in the team. I don’t blame Inzi alone, more blame goes on PCB for they have dragged the team into a more political and national affairs (such as the Urdu press conference - or the literally Banning of Imran from the PC - the decision to take Waqar out). Instead of the team concentrating on the game, their concentration is diverted to other issues.

The second and most important problem has been the way players have been manipulated. Ever time a player has not performed in a game or two, he has been shuffled and at time replaced with some one who ( who in most cases has not performed any better ). The decision to keep Imran nazir out of cricket for such a long time was ridiculous, with so much talent in him, he can/should be our next Saeed anwar. The only problem with him is his shot selection, other wise i have always considered him a very reasonable player.

At the same time, i am yet to receive any reasonable explanation as to why Afridi has been kept out of the attack. Afridis average is not promising, but at the same time he has a amazing strike rate which at times has saved many games for us. On the other hand is some 200 matches he has taken 201 wickets. His bowling alone is a reason why he should be selected. If more time is to be spend on afridi, we can have a very sensible and at the same time aggressive player. (btw is my list of captains he comes to the top 3).

Last but not least, just like lara has not been able to lift his team up, inzi has done the same. At the end of the day we can't blame these big cats because one can only win matches if the entire team succeeds. It is a rarity that one player has saved game for teams. He needs to hand pick our team once in for all, and then these players should be worked on as if there were no other to choose from. With so many top class retired cricketers in Pakistan, PCB should bring them all in for suggestions and coaching....Pakistan cricket will only prevail if the shackles of politics and bossism are broken, other wise history will repeat it self in 2011-2012.

You hit the nail right on its head Kamran. The Doc needs to go.. we need people in the PCB who actually know something about cricket.

Unbelievable!!Ashraf staying back,cause "Uncle Mushy"wants him;What a joke!!They have completely destroyed Pak Cricket.Mushy should be kicked out as the Patron and so Ashraf.Bring Imran in along with Rameez,Wasim,Waqar as a committee.

It seems that that we in Pakistan do not know when to admit that I am wrong if you go thru the records of other sports we see that during his 7 years of forced government We have gone down in every sport . I personally think that we outsource this job to somebody who is more corrupt than Pakistani ( We have 50 odd countries to chose from)

Well said Kamran Sahab! I would like to add couple of more points. Dont you think that Pakisani cricket was always mediocre at its best other than Imran Khan's era. In 90s and early 00s, all the success we had was all because of foundations laid by Imran Khan and with time nothing was done to enforce 'em. So now here we are back in the era of 60's and 70' when we had good players but never threatened top teams in the world. And i can bet my life that you wont see any improvement over next decades unless we are lucky enough to get services of someone like Khan (which again i dont see happening).
Second thing which you probably missed is when you cant find merit in any department and all the positions are held not by the deserving people but by acquaintances then how do you expect the cricket board to be an exception.

And talking about responsibility .... if you think Mr. Ashraf is responsible he would have never taken this position. After all what are the credentials of Tauqeer Zia or Nasim Ashraf. They might be good generals or doctors but how would they become cricket experts to take over cricket ?

for once Kamran no nonsense comment from you and i agree wholeheartedly....this nepostism in Pakistan is one major reason why a lot of Pakistanis are opting to live abroad....

Shameful attitude of Nasim Ashraf, more so of Musharraf.

I have no more word left, feel very disappointed......

kamran .. your last paragraph sums up the feelings of 160 million people.
im lost for words ...

It certainly is sad to see that Musharraf his style of ruling/leading the country to all other areas of the country's operations.
Pakistan has never been short on producing 'great' players, it is the system that has always held back the collective spirit from achieving 'greatness'

I would like to ask the President if he believe that he can not do anything wrong He should have been more attentive to this issue other than continuing with Nasim as PCB chairman obviously Nasim must have some qualities which got him so close to the KING but one quality he lacks is how to run the PCB and soon we might be getting some help from Kenya, B'Desh or Ireland (plus point Gora) in running the PCB as foriegn Advisor.

I would have to disagree with you on this one alittle kamran.

i dont think we can blame ashraf for the world cup debacle because he has only been in charge for 6 months, if he changed the captian and coach when he was apopointed then we would have said he was a fool to change anything 5 months before the world cup.

ideally we do want someone from a criketing background to be appointed chairman, but i think its wrong to blame a person who has held the position for 6 months, give him a year or 2 and then lets see what he's achived.

more so i think the blame for the shambles at the world cup has to be pointed at the captain and the selectors.

Theres a distinct possibility now that I wouldn't want to watch Pakistan cricket anymore. It used to be a laughable and dust-it-under-the-carpet affair before the last 8 months. Not anymore.

What a farce....I guess nobody is saying it yet but I think 2008 might turn out to be for Musharraf what 1988 was for Zia

So Chief Jester shamlessly carries on, eh? Had the creature a semblance of dignity, he would have long fled Pakistan.

The guy who does not know ABC of cricket got to go. How much more tragedy Mr. President wants to this gentleman's game called cricket. God helps this country.

First and foremost got to say, loving the blogging. Back to the matter in hand, don't no what to make of this whole fiasco Mr. Abbasi, from one viewpoint it could be looked as ‘Mr. Ashraf- you got us in this bloody mess, now get us the hell out of it'. However, I’m sure I speak for a majority when I say that it is about time we started afresh, if the selection committee has decided it’s about time they went, then surely the leader of the pack should go too. Furthermore, as you quite rightly point out- Mr. Ashraf has presided over the worst period of Pakistani cricket, ever!!!!

Nevertheless, I get the feeling that until Musharraf stops meddling in cricketing matters, whoever we get is just going to be his ‘chumpchaa’ (yes man).

All in all it looks like gloomy times ahead with Mr. Ashraf at the helm, yes we may beat the odd team here and there and have the odd bit of brilliance here and there, but the same old story will emerge in 4 years time. Millions and millions of supporters will be given hope and then it will be a case of ‘flattering to deceive ’. However, I’m a glutton for punishment so I will carry on sporting my beloved Pakistani cricket team, regardless of their performances!!!!

Well to be honest Kamram, I never had any hopes from Pakistan in the world cup to start with. I had seen their terrible batting display in the seires against South Africa. No combination, no determination, no planning. I was very disappointed. Being a casual cricket watcher, thanks to our team, even I was able to see that the preparation for the world cup.....well was not atleast professional. I donot know why anyone of the responsible personnels were not able to see that. Anyways I donot beleive that pak cricket structure will ever be improved. We had been a great side in the past due to raw talent and raw talent alone. That raw talent as soon as he makes a name for himself becomes unprofessional, arrogant, unfit and what not. I hope that we find some raw talent and a captain like Imran Khan to tame that talent.
Just want to address one more issue, I was kind of surprised to see many of our former players on TV stating that we had a very good chance of winning the WC.

i think kamran if a person dont know much about cricket and really goes only for his opinion, i am sure i will be like Nasim Ashraf. boy i am living in US and had a dream to play for pakistan cricket, but now i thank God i am not in this team if we have to listen to these stupid people, Mushy, yes the president Mushy, dont know how to handle this situation either.
let me be honest, geeks and very smart nerds do not run cricket, but players with determination, ability to take control in sports and show pride for their country run cricket. Imran Khan, Miandad, Akram, Waqar, Hanif mohammad, saeed anwar, Inzi etc they were really working hard on their cricket but these other players like Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Naved ul hasan really dont know what pride for your country is.

my best pick for Pak XI will be:
salman butt, imran nazir, younis khan, mohammad yousuf, shoaib malik, shahid afridi, abdul razzaq, kamran akmal(or any other better wicket keeper batsman), mohammad asif, jamshed ahmad and anwar ali. the extras could be: azhar mahmood, faisal iqbal, yasir hameed, Umar gul.
please start working with jamshed ahmad and anwar ali as soon as possible because they will be our key fast bowlers to bring us the world cup in 2011 inshallah.

WTF!?!!??

Enough is enough! Where are we heading? On one side Indian media is trying every possible effort to blame Pakistani cricket team for Bob's murder whom we love most and they have been doing it since the morning of 18th March. An Indian doctor had done the autopsy, WHY? Our board officails when needed most were hunting birds in OmarKot.This is another Black day of Pakistan Cricket and one of the fruits of Dictatorship. How can a non cricketing person, living in the US, close friend of Mushy,can handle cricket which he doesnt know anything about? Ridiculous...I am deeply hurt and upset with Pakistan cricket board and President Musharraf. They have been playing with desire and hopes of Pakistani's and they should not be forgiven.

Why expect any better when you have a despot at the helm of the country. The message is loud and clear "More of the same".

I agree with you completely Kamran. I work outside Pakistan where I interact with many Indian friends. One of them told me that atleast officials in Pakistan have taken the accountability and have offerd their resignations as they have failed to deliver. Seems like it was all an act . . . a cruel political act.

Rendering the Chief Justice of pakistan as non-functional and keeping Naseem Ashraf as Chairman of cricket board, these two should go down in history as two best decision Musharaf has ever made to prove the fact that running a country is not a job for millitary.

i agree with u kamran i think that its abt time that the PCB stopped conducting itself like a bunch of buddies who jus hang out and do watever they feel like. The PCB is an institution that is representing our nation..the entire nation..not jus representing a military leader and the opinnions of him and his buddies. I think its time for a major shake up from top to bottom and restore the pride of pakistan cricket and run this thing professionally with unbiased minds at the top

Rendering the Chief Justice of pakistan as non-functional and keeping Naseem Ashraf as Chairman of cricket board, these two should go down in history as two best decision Musharaf has ever made to prove the fact that running a country is not a job for millitary.

Well Kamran what can I say, this is the story of Pakistan Cricket and politics. People get appointed with connections and have no clue about their jobs, here we have a leader like Imran Khan offering his help and here goes Mushy rejecting Mr Ashraf's resignation, can't you tell it's just pure politics and who is suffering we the people. In my eyes ICC should ban Pakistan from playing any sort of cricket untill we clean up all the mess our so called PCB has been in news for not cricket but for fiasco and controversy. I wonder why are people not out on streets protesting and asking some serious questions. If Ashraf stays I have no hope that the performance of this team will get any better. On a side note my sister-in-law's husband works for this Ashraf guy for his other job related to Helth dept or some thing and Ihave heard from him that this guy is one piece of work, you have to see his house it's more like mansion and most of the renovation has happen since he became PCB Chief so go figue what will happen to cricket. I would love to see Imran Khan as Stratigic advisor to the board and see Waqar as bowling coach and Zaheer Abas as Coach at least that way we have bating and bowling both covered and sorry to say this but make Shoaib a Capt and Younas a vice Capt and selection commettee chairman Imran Khan and others should be Javid Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Mudasar Nazar, Rashid Lateef.

It amazes me that a prseident of a country is more interested in affairs of the cricket board then he is i the affairs of the country. Musharraf, take care of the constitutional crisis in the country and let the proffessionals handle the PCB. As for Ashraf, he won't be retaining his post for too long. The Pakistan cricket fans have had ENOUGH.

Unbelievable is the word. I have been a long time supporter of President Mushy, but this is the height. Mushy has gone mad and Nasim Ashraf should be fired forget the resignation. Pakistan cricket downfall started with the removal of waqar Yonus and Nasim Ashraf had a big hand on this issue. Bringing Mushtaq Ahmed was the next disaster . He needs to be kicked out. They all need to be kicked out. We all can just pray for pakistan. President Mushy should backoff from Pakistani cricket.

Dead right you got Dr.!
President's quest to keep his friends intact in circle and his own insecurities of having his net protected is doing country a great harm.

All I want to say is Gold Bless Pakistan and its cricket.

Shahzad
Houston, USA

The general is a "Yesterday Man" totally out of loop with the feelings and sentiments of his countryman. His ISI -the rogue intelligence network - yesterday orchestrated fundamentalist thugs armed with batons and equally rabid fundamentalist burka clad women to attack a so called brothel owner in Islamabad, right under the nose of the ISI and military establishment in order to convince the West that they ought to support him otherwide the fundo's are going to take over the nuclear weapons. By the same token his police is attacking the secular lawyers protests, with batons, for supporting the ousted Chief Justice. Pakistani newspapers need to read article 6 of the constiution to the General Staff and the cabinet that overthrow of an elected Govt. is treason with a noose around their neck. All of them should be strung up so that we can get rid of Musarraf, the General Staff and the whole bloody cabinet with the incumbent Nasim Ashraf. Pakistanis are sick of being sodomised for half a century and now the ruling elite along with the fundamentalist should be placed in front of the firing squad to instil some commonsence in not so common people.

I had a feeling about this, he is getting away again. I guess the reason is that we still have the "Big Mushy" in the upper office. But the way above all is GOD, and he watching us. If Doctor Sahab is man enough, he should decline the rejection from Mr. Pervez Musharraf and step down for good. If Imran was not in the politics, he would be the best option, and last time i heard he was helping out Doctor Sahab to "select" the selectors and Captain. Imran Khan like Aqib Jawb as a coach and i don't think it would be good idea. Since we still have alot of senior players in the team ( you may remember what happen to Jawaid Miandad ). I would also like to see a proper investigation for lost of the world cup. Like always Sarfraz Nawaz said again that the first match was fixed, and if you look at all the sanerios of getting rid of Waqar Younus and getting Inzi's buddy Mushy as a coach ( you had only one leg spinner in the team)looks very fishy.
Inzi is always our hero as a batsman but is new elligations might change our mind.
"humaree team to dawa ke nahee dua ke zaroorat hay"

I am sick and tired of this slow agonizing death. Why don't we just hammer in the final nail. I recommend that Altaf Hussain (MQM) be made president of PCB.

After reading so many responses, I don’t even know where to start. All that everyone is saying ‘’Pakistani team is corrupted, match fixing, President Mushraf’s fault’’ People don’t see the reason why Pakistani team performed badly. NO it’s not because they are corrupted, No there isn’t any match fixing scandal, and NO it is not President Mushraf’s fault either. You have to take this into consideration that Pakistan’s 5 main players, Shoaib Akhater, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razaq and Yasir Hameed couldn’t play due to injuries or ban or even taking drugs or whatever reason there was. You take out 5 main players of any team, whether it is Australia or South Africa; they will have problems.
Australia recently lost 4 or 5 matches in a row to England and tour to New Zealand when they got their behinds whipped by New Zealand, and they didn’t have their 3 top players playing for them (Ricky Pointing, Bret Lee and Andrew Symonds).

Yes, I agree with everyone that Pakistan should have performed better, but past few months have been disastrous for Pakistan and it all started with England tour ball tempering scandal, which by the way was NOT Inzamam’s fault. He did what was right for the country. Then we had dopping scandal, than we had South African tour which made things worst, Afridi got banned, Razaq got injured, 5 main players out and then came the World Cup.

I want everyone who is reading this article to be honest with themselves and think, would Australia or South Africa or any team in ANY sport perform at high level with 5 of their main players out? Basketball, American football, Soccer, or Cricket.

Inzimam was the best player Pakistan every had and he will be missed dearly. He is a great human being and every international player/ coach has nothing but respect for him. I am not blaming anyone for Pakistan’s early exit from World Cup, even Imran Khan couldn’t have done anything better if he was the captain of Pakistan’s team now, given the players that Inzi had. What was everyone saying in 92 World cup when Pakistan had lost to West Indies, India, South Africa, and lucky break in England’s game? Pakistan’s world cup’s fate was depending on other teams losses. And don’t forget it was Inzimam who won that world cup for Pakistan. It was Inzimam’s batting Vs New Zealand in two games and in final Vs England that won Pakistan the world cup.
I am disgusted by people and their comments against Pakistani team and players. People are quick to point fingers at others when things are going wrong, but they never say anything when team is performing well. In this difficult time people still don’t understand what Pakistani players are going through and still playing the blame game. Shame on people who think this way, they are the biggest HYPOCRITE and these are the people who are reason for Pakistan’s failure.
Show some respect to our players and our country. True fan would support their team not only in good times but in times like these.

PS. Bob Woolmer, We will all miss you, and I apologise on behalf of my country for treating you this way. May your soul rest in Peace. Ameen!

Pakistani cricket is doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over again unless the slate is cleaned with very harsh chemical to leave no traces of the current lot anywhere visible.

Only then we have any hope for the future of cricket in Pakistan.

A very disappointing decision by the General. I was hoping to see Imran running the affairs. He is one of the few politician who have integrity and passion for their work. However, big Khan would never accept a position under General's rule. Dr. Nasim knows best what he knows best, definitely cricket is not his specialty. Now we can except some radical changes lacking a critical analysis of the situation. When you ask a novice to fix something, normally he tries to reinvent the wheel. We can't expect democratic institutions as long as the country is being ruled by some dictators. Kamran thanks for moving the baton forward. I believe the journalists can make a big difference in shaping up the gross opinions.

I totally agree with you. One may argue that Nasim had the job for less than year. As a gentleman he considered what should be right but then we are only talking about Paksitan where pointing fingers are more easy than taking responsibility. Musharaf like Bush does not think that he is ever wrong. His cronies are the same way. God help Pakistan cricket future.

u belong to MMA..dont u?

Yes Kamran.. Recipie for disaster i would say. How would someone get away with so much? And i have been saying this for a while that the President should start taking soe responsibilty for this. He should not be the chief patron anyway. He keeps on appointing irrelevant people on key position in the cricket board. We need people who are ex test cricketers, who have played enough cricket to know what the game is all about. To expect a doctor who has played a few first class games to run one of the most troubled Cricket boards in the world is asking too much. There are a lot of ex cricketers who will be willing to take over. It should be a paid position and a highly expectation position. It should be a position where the chairman takes responsibilty and do something about it rather than easily resigning!

Kamran. There was this blog I wrote on Naseem Ashraf a few weeks ago. It pretty much encapsulates everything I and now apparently, you think of the man.

Nasim Ashraf:
(Oval ; Proving his credentials to the nation)
1- Emerged at the player’s balcony, amidst the chaos during the Oval fiasco (aka “Oh my god! We play for pride! Ball tampering, drugs, match fixing!? No! We are all for principles and fair play *angels*”) giving the goras the thumbs up (Interpretation: I am your loyal sycophant and though, I have no jurisdiction here, I will ensure the team is back onto the field so that we end up with eggs on our faces and get humiliated to the fullest extent. Um….Anything else Mr. ECB chairman?). The truth is back then I mistook him for Ehsan Mani and as a corollary, hurled abuses at the wrong person. Back then I thought, even by Pakistan’s standards, things couldn’t possibly get worse. Maybe I was naïve. Maybe I couldn’t fathom the capricious nature of Pakistan cricket and the lows it could stoop down to. Or maybe I couldn’t envision the unearthing of a new gem. Whatever it was, Ehsan Mani had arrived and it was the dawn of a new era.

(Musical Chairs; First stint with controversy)
2- Younis resigns a few days before the team is scheduled to leave for India (Champions Trophy). “I will not be a dummy captain! I have been made to wait outside! Damit!” Shaharyar resigns. “And I thought Shoaib was a prick!” Nasim Ashraf is appointed the new chairman. “Hmm. I know jack about cricket but..this could be interesting?” Yousuf made captain. “Allah ka shukar hay. It was always a dream of mine to captain Pakistan on the international stage”. Razzaq made vice captain. Apparently, Razzaq is thrilled to have been bestowed with this honor. “ I am ecstatic that the board has entrusted me with this responsibility”… 24 hours later. Younis reinstated as captain. Yousuf no longer captain. Razzaq um no longer vice captain? The whole issue reeked of consistency and cautious planning. What a fine administrator and disciplinarian, Nasim had shown himself to be (Interpretation: Nasim’s in-competency was reminiscent and consistent with the performance of the previous fools that had been in this position. But hey..to be fair he was entitled to ONE Screw up?)

(Drugs Scandal: Nandrowhatever? “I have no idea what this is and how it got here!”)
3- Jokes aside, this issue could not have been handled in a worse manner. We needed a person like Nasim Ashraf, at the helm of affairs, to ensure that things got messed up. And we did:) No punishments meted out to the players. Forget about bans, there weren’t even financial penalties. None whatsoever. What a message we sent to the world. “We play to win! And we don’t care how we do it”. What an inspiration to all the young cricketers, knocking on the fringes of international selection. “Take drugs if you want to. And if you’re good enough, we shall save your ass? The country’s reputation? Who gives a flying concern about that?”. So much for the country’s honor and pride. What a pity.

In between, we have had the ‘I have told Inzi not to pressure anyone to keep a beard’ deal coupled with his annoying presence in every match shown on television (why the hell is he always with the team. As if we don’t have enough interference in matters pertaining to team selection and other issues) .And ofcourse, how can I condone the “The constitution will be finalized and endorsed on the 1st of January..um…the 31st of January….um soon” situation. What a man. What a patriot. What an administrator. Nasim Ashraf, I hail you. The savior of Pakistan cricket.

Kamran,

I could not have agreed more with you.

This is the second most disastrous decision by Musharraf after the Chief Justice's suspension orders. I think the General has lost his marbles and is making some very stupid decisions lately.

Nasim Ashraf has proved himself to be the most inept and incompetent chair of PCB. Everything he has done so far has been a complete disaster. He is completely clueless about dealing with the team with absolutely no control. He has no strategy, no plans, and definitely no ideas. Just look at all the decisions he has made during his tenure, and you will only find madness, without any method in them.

The best way for Pakistan cricket is dismantling of ad-hoc structure, restoration of the constitution and revival of the proper cricketing structure in Pakistan - the one that does not allow idiots like Naseem Ashraf to be in charge.

I can only hope that is will result is massive public outcry and will force Musharraf to retract his decision, just the way he did in CJP situation.

Asad Faizi

Oh No, Not cricket at least. Pakistanis can accept their fluctuated political scenarios, the army being pampered, the judiciary being bombarded, BUT CRICKET!!! Well at least this should not have happened. the time has come that a complete set of administrators is to be changed. with new vision the Ex-Pakistan Greats of cricket should be involved who can plan and do something valuable for Pakistan Cricket. My whole prayers are with the team but the management and administrators are to be changed completely.

Dr. Naseem Ashraf demonstrated high morality by offering his resignation though he was not responsible at all for Pakistan team's disgusting performance in the world cup. Naseem Ashraf took over just 5 month ago and inherited the mess in PCB left by Sharyar Khan. He did a good job dealing with Oval and doping fiasco. President Musharaf did the right thing by not accepting his resignation. Officials (present and recent past) who need to be prosecuted from PCB for Pakistan cricekt team's recent disastrous performances are Sharyar Khan (who recently told BBC in an interview that there is no reason to push panic button!), Salim Altaf, Wasim Bari, Ramiz Raja, and Inzimam. Bob Woolmer did not live long enough to see the anger of Pakistani cricket fans. I hope Dr. Ashraf will take impartial and bold decisions by getting rid of Inzi from Test and OD cricket, appoint Shoaib Akhtar as Captain and Rashid Latif as Coach who can handle Shoab very well. Who knows Shoab may turn out to be another Imran Khan for the team! Miandad will be excellent Chief selector/Coach in my opinion.
Dr. Nasim Ashraf, please get rid of Mulla culture from Pakistan team.
Ps: Mr. Abbasi, I hope you include my comments in this blog (in past, you did not).

I am disgusted by Musharraf's decision to not accept ashraf's resignation. After all the disaster of the last few months, how can this bozo conceivably continue to lead Pakistani cricket. He was even present at the Oval fiasco and that should also be counted in his legacy.

This man has disgraced Pakistani cricket and is one of the key people to be blamed for our embarassment. The only bright side to our elimination was that we would see the end of this clown, but unfortunately there is perhaps more disgrace in our destiny.

I will personally boycott the Pakistani team and refuse to watch any of their matches in person or television until he is removed from office. I urge people to boycott the team as well. Empty stadiums should greet the team when they play in Pakistan to send a clear signal to Ashraf.

Mirror Mirror on the wall
Who is the guiltiest one of them all?

Who is the chief architect of this disaster?

1. Is it Naseem Ashraf? Or Shahryar Khan? Or Tauqeer Nasir?
Bad leaders all of them?

2. Or is it the man in charge for selecting the team over most of the last decade?
His presence is like a slow growing cancer on Pakistan cricket. See the fine players he has recruited and who are now stuck like bits of poison ivy on the team.

3. Or is it the great Oracle of Pakistan Cricket, Kamran Abbasi? What is his responsibility? A wonderful blogger to be sure, but through this forum he has voiced
so many irrational, illogical and erroneous ideas (although some good ones too). The team that was selected was endorsed by him, indeed praised as rivaled only by Australia—even after being beaten by West Indies and Ireland (that part is of a stupidity not to be believed).

4. Is it Inzi? How much power did he have? Did he select this team? Did he select the openers?

Let the (blame) games begin.

He should quit ASAP, not just because of this world cup debacle, may be it is not all his fault; but because he is incompetent, ignorant and not capable of this kind of job. I plea with Mr. Musharaf, accept his resignation and appoint the right person with relevant profile for this important job.

I would say that it is "Palism" that is going on right now in pakistan cricket.But unfortunately this kind of mess is prevalent in every sphere of life in pakistan.When there is no civil society, no civil institution what can be expected in such a jungle

Kamran, I take a different view of your assessment of the new PCB Chief. First, I don't see a problem if you appoint someone you trust ("pals and acquaintances") to key positions in the PCB as long as the people you appoint are competent. If I recall correctly, Salim Altaf was already on board as the Chief Executive before Nasim Ashraf's appointment as the Chairman. So, I'm not so sure who are you referring to when you talk about appointing pals and acquaintances. I think a person who assumes the responsibility of a Chairman has the perogative to select his team of players to run the administration. The "dummy captain" scenario was one thing Nasim Ashraf inherited when he took over- he had nothing to do with it. The past Chairman, Shaharyar Khan evoked that expression from YK. When Nasim Ashraf spoke about too much emphasis on religion in the Pak cricket team, he was jumped on by the media for bad mouthing religion. If Nasim Ashraf had not required the players to be dope tested before the Champion's Trophy, last year, the future of two players, namely, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would be over. Because of the proactive position adopted by the PCB regarding dope testing, we can at least hope that both may be able to play for Pakistan in the near future. Inzi had unfettered powers even under Shaharyar's reign - the Oval Test fiasco is a glaring example of the powers he wielded. I will, however, agree with you on one count. I feel removing Waqar Younis as the bowling coach was a mistake. What is so wrong with the Chairman getting to know the players a little better? Why do these players behave like some prima donnas? They are paid professionals who need to show a little professionalism in their interaction with people, specially, with the Chairman of the PCB. I think it is preposterous to suggest that Nasim Ashraf is in some way "responsible for orchestrating this disaster". The fact of the matter is that Pakistani batting failed on a sporting wicket for reasons not yet clear to me, at least. Whether it was the wrong technique, or a wrong frame of mind in their approach to batting, or just pure nerves, or a combination of all. Nasim Ashraf was dignified enough to assume responsibility and he resigned. Mush (the President) knows that it wasn't his fault that Pakistan are out of the World Cup. Supposedly, planning for this World Cup was taking place for the last 3-4 years. How can you put the blame on an individual who took over the reigns barely nine months ago?

Kamran,
Are you surprised??? This "non acceptance" of Ashraf's resignation was as close to a done deal as Ashraf's immediate thanks back at Mr. President. I couldn't have guessed that Mr. Ashraf wouldn't leave fans alone, and so he had to give his thanks to "the fans" also!!! for their support!!!...which fans...all of Mr. President, Mr. Assistant Coach, and Mr. Ashraf himself?

What a disgrace.

Well said, Kamran, even though you've been too polite. This man doesn't even deserve to come close to a cricket ground again, let alone continue serving as the head of the PCB. He's a scam artist of the first-degree -- his "resignation" was prefaced with the telling phrase "...but I'm willing to continue if the President wishes me to". The President, as you correctly pointed out, couldn't afford to have egg flying in his direction from yet another angle (given what goes on in the land of the pure these days) and he certainly didn't want blame -- for the series of fiascos you mentioned -- apportioned to him as well for THIS disaster. If Ashraf had any character, any sense of shame, any sense of responsibility, or any clue to the fact that his continued presence at the cricketing helm is going to shove this sport deeper into the quagmire currently confronting it, he would quit immediately. But, of course, in the true tradition of the wannabe culture that has flourished no end here, Dr. Ashraf is unaware of any of the above -- and, at present, probably lives for the sole purpose of seeing his ugly mug plastered all over the newspapers and the electronic media as he expounds on every new and ridiculous "decision" reached by the PCB (such as the decision to send three officials to Jamaica -- to join the fourth currently taking in the sights and sounds of that glorious Caribbean island -- three weeks after Woolmer's death). If we lived in a country where the law was still paramount, any number of us could have sued him for incompetence and bungling around with tax-payers' money. As it stands, we can only sit and seethe. I join you in your anger and frustration.

Looks like the worst period of Pak cricket continues!! I can only pray that Musharraf gets assasinated soon and then Naseem will have nowhere to hide!!

Pathetic. Go to hell PCB and Musharraf.

Mr Abbasi,
How many times have we seen resignations being REJECTED? People usually resign when either they are fed up themselves or others are fed up of them.
Pity. I feel at times that the President has ulterior motives for almost everything he does. There is an air of trust and sense about the man which makes me want to have faith in his governance. However after today’s striking news I am having second doubts. My Politics teacher often stated that a powerful politician should not pull a string so much lest it breaks. That is when downfalls of people with responsibility occur.
I find it difficult to adjudge the relationship Inzamam has/had with Dr Ashraf. I am aware the latter told the former to not force people to pray. I believe that instruction would have been ill received. Apart from that it seems they don’t mind each other. The reason I mention Inzi here is because of his supreme influence in the handling of Pakistani cricket. We are essentially discussing blame apportionment on this thread. I don’t want to believe for the sake of my beloved sanity that the system is in such shambles that Ashraf would have been powerless following the doping scandal and the increasing bearded brigade/tableeghism in the Pakistani team. Politics is a difficult game because you have to keep a lot of parties happy at the same time. I wish I knew the President’s ulterior motive for this decision. Maybe he feels the Chairman needs time to settle down and start afresh. Maybe, with Inzi out of the way, some common sense and intelligence can prevail over the system.

The test now, of course, for the Chairman is how he deals with the situation of no captain and coach. Perhaps the President has continued with the Chairman because of the latter’s diplomacy skills? A huge reason why PCB can’t run intelligently and efficiently is because people don’t get along. It seems to me that the Chairman so far has concentrated on giving each party their share of the pie. He kept Inzi happy by keeping Mushtaq as assistant coach and facilitating the removal of Waqar. He kept the President and some players happy by asking Inzi not to force people to pray. Of course I don’t know much about this issue and I think not many individuals would, but it is food for thought.

Dear KAMRAN , In my humble opinion , any body who has any trace of sensibility , WOULD WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE with your assesments ,WELL DONE AND WELL SAID. Musshy , the wrecker of the basic law of the nation , Talk about fully abiding by the rule of law and the constitution, WHAT A JOKE AND WHAT A JOKER HE IS . The silent Majority he is so famous of refering to ever time he opens his Mouth , has shown since March 9th , the have had enough of his So Called Enlighten Moderation. This time he has bitten a piece which is getting harder for him to chew and swallow and in this moment of his depair , he needs all his cronies and show ploishers around him , so no wonder THE MUSHY the pattron has asked the Crony the Chairman who fired and then hired the MUSHY the gambler as a assistance coach to complete the task of destrying the cricket , job has not yet finished . THE RESPECTOR OF RULE OF LAW DRUM BEATER THE MUSHY's days are numbered and he wants all his cronies to go down tigether so thatis why he did not