Woolmer's reign earns precious time with magnificent win

[Shaka]

Let me say first of all that no praise can be too little for the current team management for what can only be described as a quite remarkable achievement in drawing this series. So many fans were gloomily predicting a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of India that it can only be described as a massive triumph for Woolmer and the Pakistan squad. Bear in mind the pace attack was decimated and the criticism has been loud and long despite this handicap - I just hope credit is now given as generously as the barbs and mean-minded brickbats were handed out.

IMO, this Pakistan team is well placed to compete with the big boys again. The team spirit is better than it has been since Imran's reign, what we lack in the flair we might have had, is made up for by sheer character. Afridi, Younis Khan, and players like Shoaib Malik and Naved Rana are great examples, even though the latter two weren't even playing this final test match. Nothing epitomises this more than the fact that Shoaib Akhtar is by no means certain to get back into this team. Yes he is our most effective strike bowler, his record can't be argued with. But the baggage that comes with it will no longer be tolerated and it's the best thing that could have happened for both Pakistan and Shoaib. With Shabbir Ahmed fit again, Umar Gul's return on the horizon and Mohammed Sami at last showing glimpses that he is on the way back from a nightmare two years, Shoaib can no longer take his place for granted. Unless he is prepared to make big changes to both his lifestyle and his willingness to bowl according to the needs of the management, his career is in jepoardy.

For Woolmer and Inzimam, this win under very difficult circumstances means that the PCB will now no longer be under pressure to pull the rug and the development of Woolmer's plan can take place with the time that is required. For those of us who were a bit worried that a great chance to finally put some direction and application in this Pakistan team, it's a good feeling. India are an excellent side, but I have always fancied us to win the ODI series - if it happens we will go to the West Indies a very confident side. It will be interesting to see if Shoaib is picked, but hopefully his failure to make the ODI squad here will be the kick up the backside he has needed for a long time. With injuries clearing up, it is going to be a very interesting next few months for Woolmer. For the first time since he has been appointed he will have a balanced and confident squad to pick from. We aren't world beaters by a long way, but I would think he will feel confident of turning anyone over in a few months time.

[Zainub]

I have been singing Jazba Junoon all day long Shaka The lyrics couldn't have described our efforts as team better in this series, in fact ever since Bob has taken over, I'm such a big fan of his, he and Inzi really make the perfect heavy weight combination ...totally unbeatable

Hai juzba junoon to himmat na harr (if you have the passion then never lose hope)
Justojo jo kare wo choaa asman ... (those who work hard can reach even the sky)

In principle I couldn't have agreed with you more. This may not be the strongest Pakistani side we have all seen and are ever likely to see in the future, but it certainly is one of my favorites. The most important thing Woolmer brings to our side is a sort of team spirit and work ethic I have previously dreamed of having even with the likes of Saeed Anwer, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus in the side.

[Maranello]

No doubt Woolmer's job is now safe for another year at least, barring something catasrophic. The 4 ODI wins over India bought him time till the Aussie tour, and then despite the Tests whitewash, the strong VB Series showing bought him further time. What this win does is give Woolmer and Inzi the leeway to be bolder, to force Bari's hand occasionally and also to work on the missing gaps. It was shocking that many journalists and pundits were calling for his head before this win, but at least this will now shut them all up! He has done very well so far, and I thought that even after the Calcutta defeat.

A note of caution though, I hope our fans out in the streets do not get carried away! There are plenty of things still to work on, and this team is still finding its feet, it is by no means a finished article - only a few years of good coaching, a professional set-up and a strong environment can cultivate these chaps into a world-class outfit. However, the raw ingredients seem to be mostly there, and the most important ingredients of all - team ethic and a fighting spirit - seem to be there in abundance. That is something all great Pakistan sides have had in the past, so well done Inzi and well done Woolmer.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

The most important thing Woolmer brings to our side is a sort of team spirit and work ethic I have previously dreamed of having even with the likes of Saeed Anwer, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus in the side.

Yes we have done well recently with those qualities but I am looking forward to seeing Woolmer working with some serious firepower at his disposal alongside the hard work. He's been working with one hand tied behind his back with recent squads, I want to see how we do with Gul and Shabbir in this team.

Maranello, I think Pakistani fans shouldn't get carried away just as they shouldn't get too critical when we lose. There are obviously teams like Australia, England and India still ahead of us right now despite this win. I think though that we have served notice last few months that Pakistan can think about challenging these teams again, if the fast bowling department can recover from the injury setbacks of the last 12 months. Kaneria has come of age as a test bowler, impressive showings against both Australia and now India back that up. Ther are still some issues to be settled but we are gradually whittling down to a decent test 11. Not there yet but the progress is on course which is all you can ask. Tomorrow's Pakistani press should make for interesting reading.

[Zainub]

Certainly.Defeats and wins in India Pakistan contests are rarely reacted to in a rational manner (in either country for that matter). So far the reaction from the electronic media has been quite predictable. One thing is for sure the media will not be as kind to Woolmer as we here are. In an analysis show on GEO tv where Miandad appeares as the analyst he wasn't even mentioned, not even once.

Just to give others an idea, this appeared in the last Sunday supplement of Dawn, in response to the defeat in Calcutta: Consistency Of A Different Kind, by Zaheer Abbas

Originally Posted by The Asian Bradman

Honestly, I believe that the PCB knows fully well what it is up against. It is trying to be patient with the hi-tech coach, giving him all the time to do something more concrete and tangible. But the coach, on his part, has done precious little, if anything, except writing columns, giving interviews and issuing statements to the effect that nothing bothers him at all; that he is not responsible for the debacles; and that the players need to be physically and mentally fit to do the fight out in the middle; and that there are people who criticize him unnecessarily even though the PCB is supposedly satisfied with his performance. What sometimes surprises me more than the audacity and temerity of the coach is the reluctance and timidity being shown by his bosses in making him shut up and concentrate on the job.

What perhaps saves the skin of the coach every now and then is the team's much better performance in the one-day version of the game. It happened in Australia recently, and there is every likelihood of it happening yet again in India at the end of the Test series. I have heard of public memory being short, but I would expect a better effort on the part of the PCB, with all the statistical data that is generated, kept and updated so painstakingly. The team has always been performing reasonably well in the ODIs, barring the World Cup fiasco, and that equation has not changed much. If the World Cup were to be held today, the team is not going to win it; not by some distance.

The team's basic problem was lack of consistency. They could beat any side one day, and lose out to some under-strength outfit the very next day. This is what the coach was supposed to be working on, and he has done a mind-boggling job of it. The team has now become much more consistent in the sense that it has now become a bunch of consistent losers at the Test level. It either loses or strives to wriggle out of tight corners where it finds itself stranded on a consistent basis. I fail to remember the last time the team under the current coach took the initiative and drove that advantage home. I am absolutely certain that the PCB didn't have this kind of consistency in mind when it went on that ill-advised hiring spree.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

One thing is for sure the media will not be as kind to Woolmer as we here are. In an analysis show on GEO tv where Miandad appeares as the analyst he wasn't even mentioned, not even once.

Well if Miandad is being employed as an 'analyst' what did you expect? Maybe they should employ Asif Iqbal (ARY Digital) and get an impartial view? Actually, if they have a problem finding an analyst without tinted specs, I can suggest a few.

[Zainub]

I don't particularly enjoy that show. Although some how I still convince my self to watch every time it is on. It is not only about Woolmer Shaka. Miandad seemed to change parties to and fro right through. Asked to reflect on Younis Khan's 267 after day 2 his response was '1 or 2 innings do not make a great batsmen' today though as they connected via phone to talk to Younis it was almost as if he had turned over a new leaf 'I always knew that you were a very comitted and hard working batsmen, you played very well, this and that'. I have watched Asif Iqbal show too. My family though is a geo-addict so sometimes things really are beyong my control. I don't mind listening to Sakindar Bakht (on Indus News) his views are mostly constructive, and he does give credit where its due.

[Zainub]

Captain Inzamamul Haq on Monday dedicated his team's series-levelling victory in the third Test against India to Pakistanis.

Originally Posted by Inzi, aka Mr. Super Cool

We play for Pakistan and this win is dedicated to all Pakistanis who have backed us through this tough series

What a sweet thing to say!

[Nauman]

I agree we are getting carried away with this one test win, and to be honest Woolmer had no part in it. It is all because of Inzimam's hardwork and determination. At the end of the day the problem with openers is still there, in the last 5 test matches we have had 5 different test pairs which I must say says alot about Woolmer's inability as a coach, under Miandad our opening slot was pretty much settled with Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar as test openers and Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed as ODI openers. Woolmer has messed everything up I must say and the only two players who have shown any sort of improvement under him are Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan.

Regards
Nauman
Admin - pakistanicricket.net

[Shaka]

Hi Nauman,

your response is pretty typical of the mindset of vested interests in Pakistan. I see Javed Miandad has also gone out of his way to praise everyone from Inzimam down, meticulously leaving out Woolmer. I am amazed you have claimed that he has messed up the opening spots which Miandad had consolidated. Both Farhat and Taufeeq Umar ( I remain a big fan) have been given opportunities to stake their claim but failed to take them. Taufeeq can perhaps be considered unlucky, but he was clearly struggling. Farhat is a gifted player but has an obvious flaw in that he hooks and pulls aerially giving plenty of chances to be caught. I do hope you return here and back up your argument that dropping him was a mistake because I can't see how you can possibly justify it.

As for not getting carried away, I'm sorry, but winning this test match against all the odds against a very strong Indian line up and with a weakened team deserves all the accolades in the world. Mean-minded petty nit-picking is not the order of the day. I am just pleased that this squad and it's management has been able to show the middle finger to all the critics and doom mongers with a spanking good win.

Regards
Shaka