Bob Woolmer: our current verdict

[Zainub]

Let's just say M, that in general I'm some one who is rather skeptical of the press, rightly or wrongly. I'm glad though, from all that I have heard about the treatment some other leading sports figures receive in their respective countiries that I only have to deal with the Pakistani lot. Glad that at least our press doesn't poke into the player's/coach's personal lives and gald too that our players don't fear like Nasser Hussain did during his times seeing his head printed upside down in a vegetable in the morning's papers after he'd incorrectly send the opposition in. You are right, our press is not the best, but certainly not the worst, and you are also right that in the end you just have to deal with it and move on, b/c essentially these guys are just doing their job. Thank for shunning me down from an emotional high, and bringing me back down to reality. I get carried away very quickly !

[Shaka]

Seeing as Woolmer is under as much pressure as he has been since he took the job, I think it's as good a time to give a verdict as any, and mine is CARRY ON BOB.

I hate to see jobs half done, and knew from the start that he was in for a long haul. I was always sceptical whether the Pakistani public would have the patience to see it through but Woolmer is going to need a long term plan to make a difference in a team which comes from such a poor infrastructure. If we are looking at ODI success, then I think Woolmer can produce results right now.

At Test level though, these players lack such basic techniques it will take a couple of years to develop correct habits from what I've seen (take Imran Farhat's hooking technique for example - high and uncontrolled instead of playing down and over the ball).

[Paoli]

Alot of talent. Akhtar, Youhana and Inzy are world class. Salman, although raw, looks a good prospect. As does Sami and Kaneria.

The guy whose disappointed me most, his recent hospital visits notwithstanding, is Abdur Razzaq. He has so much potential but delivers nothing.

[Teatime FatCat]

I thought Razzaq had settled down recently, and started to deliver? He certainly seems to ofer more to the team than say, Sami. A useful 3/4th seamer and a good 6/7 bat who can dig them out of trouble. I just felt he was average a year ago, but better now.

[Zainub]

He's match winner in one-days any day, right up there with the best all rounders in the limited overs game (can seriously hit the ball hard and long).

In test cricket he's not quite in the same class, at times he seems confused about what he should do - play one-day style quick fire knocks or bogg down to score patiently - but he's improving day by day nevertheless. And gradually becoming more consistent.

His bowling also, has been much more penetrative in the last 6 months then it was say 12 months ago. He doesn't always get a bag full of wickets, but he is what you call a steady bowler, will fill up a lot of over without complaining about it or going for too many runs. He can be tricky to bat against when it is reversing.

Above all he's a hard working player, and good asset to have in a by and large young team (is only 25 or where abouts but seems to have been around for ages and has loads of experience).

[pakindya fan]

Well one things for sure, scince he took over pakistan have looked and been alot better

[Doink]

I wish we could have had him as our.......

[Zainub]

You sure can wish , cause that's the only thing you can do , Bob's our ATM, and he's all very keen for things to stay that way, for hopefully a very long (and successful) period of time

[Doink]

Yeah right! But now we have got Greg so just watchout man!

[Zainub]

I will Doink!