The Soap Opera that is Pakistan Cricket

It never ceases to amaze me that Pakistani cricket is truly an amazing soap opera. One had thought that with the appointment of Shoaib Malik, and the selection of Geoff Lawson as the coach of the squad, things for at least some time would have atleast a veneer of stability. Yet, all it took was a training camp, a new league, and it seems everything has fallen apart.

First, whether or not its true, Cricinfo and a few Indian papers have been talking over the last few days about a possible rebellion in the squad, lead by no other than Shoaib Malik. It appears that there was some altercation between Shoaib Malik and the management of the team over whether Shoaib Akhtar talked to someone before he left the camp early, leading to his suspension. While Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have both denied any altercation, the rumours refuse to die down. The reports even point to a potential boycott of the upcoming Twenty20 cup by atleast 6 to 7 players.

While all this drama continues, the ICL has been active through Rashid Latif in trying to recruit Pakistani players. Imran Farhat has signed, Asim Kamal is close to signing, and rumours refuse to die that Inzamam, Yousuf and Razzaq are days away from signing. Asif was also offered an amount reaching USD 600,000 per year to play for two months / year for the ICL. The PCB and Nasim Ashraf in all their wisdom, are choosing to take an ostrich approach to the whole thing, and are threatening to suspend anyone who "dares" to sign with the ICL. Well, I have news for them. Pretty soon, it won't just be Imran Farhat calling their bluff. Imran Farhat they can do without, but Yousuf? Asif? I don't think so.

A few people raise the issue that if the players are patriotic enough, they will not choose the ICL, but play for the PCB regardless of the financial cost. Well, that may be all fine and dandy, but you cannot expect players to simply walk away from the types of figures the ICL is throwing around. If the PCB wants their players to remain under contract to the PCB, and not sign on with the ICL, they are going to have to pony up some serious sums of money to match ICL dollars. Further, what is going on at the PCB? Along with the ICL issue, the issue with the team's potential boycott, even if false, opens up a can of worms which after the World Cup debacle is the last thing the PCB needs.

While there appears to be a serious lack of foresight and leadership in the PCB, what I am starting to wonder about, as is Intikhab Alam, is where is Geoff Lawson? Its been over three weeks since his appointment, and I really haven't heard much from him to date. When is he coming to Pakistan? Who will be on his staff? Will it be an all foreign group, or will there atleast be some Pakistani representation? Serious questions remain.