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The Rediff Interview/ Lieutenant General Tauriq Zia

'There is more talent in Pakistan than anywhere in the world'

Lieutenant General Tauriq Zia, president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, is a man who is sure of what he expects from his players. He believes the PCB and its functioning can only improve with some discipline in it.

When Faisal Shariff met up with the general, attired in a cream safari suit, at Sharjah, he was surprised to find a relaxed, articulate and media-savvy boss at the helm of Pakistan cricket.

And though he was forthright in his assessment of Pakistan cricket, it appeared that the general's knowledge about the game is as good as Inzamam's running between the wickets.

Pakistan went to play in India last year. Now it's India's turn to tour Pakistan in January. What if the Indians say they can't come? You think it makes sense that they play in Sharjah or in Bangladesh?

I am not going to work on the assumption that the Indians are not coming. I am going by the assumption that they are coming and the ICC has decided that. When I was in Singapore, I met (ICC president Jagmohan) Dalmiya and told him that we must force the Indians to come and play in Pakistan.

The relationships are, of course tense, but as far as the cricketing world is concerned I see no reason why cricket can't be played between the two nations. As far as neutral venues are concerned, I am not for it. I am for the Indians coming to Pakistan just as the Pakis did last year. And why shouldn't they come?

After all, it is an ICC tour and I think they must abide by their commitment. I feel it is good for the two nations to play cricket. Maybe that is one area where the tension between the two countries can be cleared. I am speaking purely from the cricketing point of view. That is between the two nations and how they sort it out. I assume the Indians will come and play.

You think cricket can work as a bridge between the two countries?

Whether it bridges the gap or not, I think it is for the two nations to decide. I would not like in any which way to comment on the political relations between the two countries.

Pakistan is in the process of inducting new players into the side, and flushing out some old players. Will you give the new players an extended run?

My policy is very clear. I have to prepare my team for 2003. That is the immediate and long term planning process. I am not saying that everyone should be kicked out and only those playing in the 2003 World Cup should be there.

I think we know there is too much talent in Pakistan. I think there is more talent in Pakistan than anywhere in the world; not even in India. Maybe, they (India) don't want to take a chance with them, yet. And let me quote verbatim from Mr Sidhu. He said this (Pakistan) is the only country which is taking chances. They take risks by putting youngsters in the side even if they lose. India doesn't do that. Chappell and others also said the same thing. They said they don't know where Pakistan gets their talent.

Frankly speaking, if you are looking at long term policies then you have to take chances. I have even given chances to youngsters to prove their mettle. When I got Younis Khan into the team I said he will play the practice match against Lanka; he will play all three-day matches; he will play the three-day game against Lanka as well as all three Tests against Lanka. So that's the extended period I gave him.

There have been players who have been given a Test and then dropped. Then again after 6,7 Tests they are considered. I called Younis Khan and told him that I am giving you all this. You continue to score zero runs but it will only be after the third Test that you will be dropped. Then you should not blame me saying I did not give you a chance.

I have given extended chances to Imran Abbas, now Imran Nazir, Faisal, Atiq and Irfan Fazil. Some of them are young and have time. They will get into the team in 2000, 2001 or 2003. I am pleased that people have started to make a difference.

Our weakest point has always been fielding but seeing these boys fielding, no one will say they are any less than the better fielding sides in world cricket. I think they are tremendous. I think it's the youngsters who are stirring this turnaround in fielding.

I was surprised to find Inzamam diving and stopping the ball; even Arshad Khan for that matter was fielding brilliantly. That means that the commitment is coming back. I want the team to be integrated and together. That's the spirit. I have always told them I do not mind losing a match as long as I know that you have fought well. I have said one will win another will lose, so don't bother if you lose, just show me commitment.

As far as senior players are concerned I am not asking them to get out just like that. There are players who may not last till 2003; there are players who may not be fit till 2003. There are players who will not perform as well as they are right now. Therefore, you have to have a reservoir from where you can put up a team for the Cup. I don't want to be directionless in 2003.

When I took over, I got over 300 applications from all over Pakistan complaining that they haven't got a chance and that they are very good. So I am not going to work on favouritism, but on merit. I am going to call those boys and put them in the camp. The selectors and other senior players will see them. If they have potential they will be retained.

We have a restructured domestic season, which will start come September. These boys will be put into those teams and they will have to show their mettle. As far as new blood is coming in we have no problem at all. With respect to fast bowlers, I think we have plenty. I have a problem with spinners in Pakistan. Now I am trying to tap that reserve.

I have asked some spinners to play. I have two or three boys in mind. Leg spinner Shafique did play the three-day match. He is playing in the domestic season right now and I think I want him to play in the national side soon.

There is Dinesh Kareria; he wasn't well, just had an operation. Abdul Qadir's son is waiting in the wings. I have heard he is better than his father, but he is very young. He is just 13, so his father doesn't want him to be exposed so soon. I would like to get hold of that boy. My direction is clear and my policy is clear.

Almost five coaches, three boards and three captains in a short period of time. What ails Pakistan cricket?

You are quite right. There should be continuity in the board and also in other fields; with coaches as well as the captain. I would not like to say much on this because this is entirely up to the board as to who they appoint as the top man.

I think where we go wrong is when the top man changes. If the secretariat and the structure and the system is in place then the top man doesn't make a difference. The problem starts when the top man comes and gets rid of everybody. Then a new system comes up, then the new men come in and then the confusion starts. I shall not comment as to why they were asked to leave.

Mujib-ur Rehman, because of the political connections; Zafar Altaf, because he is a civil grade 22 officer and was required more there in the present set-up. But I am trying to place a system so that we don't have to play around too much. Which means that your secretariat, your organisation should be on ground.

Your system of domestic structure should be on the ground and your constitution should be in place. And once you have put those in place, then when those serving in the organisation leave or change it should not matter to the organisation.

I agree with you that there should be at least a minimum tenure of two years, if not more. There are people who have stayed for four years and that is the kind of continuity that is required. The reasons are best known to the government as to why they ask the people to leave.

As regard to the coaches in Pakistan, it's an irony that there are no trained professional coaches. Every player cannot coach; it is a very specialised field. Therefore we continue to rely on foreign coaches. When I took over I had no time because the team was going to Australia and we had asked Mudassar Nazar to be coach. But since he was to come from England andI thought he would take time, I thought it would be better to ask Intikhab Alam, who is a very senior man and who was coach for the 1992 World Cup. I told him that I would appoint you coach till the Australian tour.

In the meantime, I thought I would look around for a coach from abroad or train a coach from Pakistan. But that did not happen. While in Australia I had asked Alam to continue for the Lankan series. Alam was also the ICC referee, so it would not have been possible for him to hold dual positions. Alam then started making statements out of place and said that he would like to quit before the third Test. So we appointed Javed Miandad, who has been given tenure till July 13, when we finish our season. I'd like to bring permanency this season. I will be happy if he continues beyond that date as well.

I am trying to get coaches for batting, fielding as well as bowling from all over. But for my number two team. When I say number two team I mean 20, 30 people who are ready to replace the current players. They are already in the reserves and have already been selected.

I want to give them the facility of proper coaching. He may have the talent, but not the technique. Board permanency I cannot ensure. As far as the rest of the systems are concerned I have had three months of observation and I must have made mistakes, but I think I will go for continuation of captain and coach.

Your third point about captains: Wasim came to me himself and said he had this problem of diabetes so he would like to step down but continue his quest for 400 wickets. My understanding for him was not just 400 wickets but break the record; continue to serve Pakistan because Pakistan cannot get a better bowler than you. It is unfortunate that he is not fit. Had he played against Lanka he would have broken the 400-wicket landmark. He is a great bowler.

The choice then was between Moin and Anwar. Moin was not ready mentally and Saeed had to be called in. He had a problem with his knee and in the second Test he had a collision with the umpire and therefore he had to go to England for treatment. So the choice was Moin, who was already in my mind because he is young and experienced. So I have appointed him till July 13.

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