Waqar resigns: Mudslinging continues

A new year begins, but Pakistani cricket is back to its old ways. Seems like the PCB and their staff didn't make a resolution to try and get along better and avoid meaningless tiffs through the media.

Pakistan is starting this year with the acrimonious departure of their bowling coach, Waqar Younis. He resigned after learning that his coaching assignment for the South African tour was limited to only the test matches. Just as I had predicted, he wasn't too ecstatic with the board's decision and subsequently resigned. He explained his position through the media. From SkySports.com...

"I am disappointed that they wanted me for only the Test series on the South Africa tour, which is mistreatment," Waqar told AFP. "Respect is something that the PCB needs to learn. I am a bowling coach and not a clerk. The improvement in Pakistan bowlers is there to be seen. I took time out from my family commitments to help youngsters, but it is better to quit when you don't get the respect," Younis added.

The PCB media release in retort is even more interesting. Who would have ever thought that a professional organization would feel the need to explain its moral position on arrogant players? From PCB.com.pk...

Pakistan Cricket Board, on Sunday evening issued a rejoinder on the resignation of Waqar Younis, through its Director Cricket Operations Salim Altaf. The statement said, "PCB’s bowling coach Waqar Younis reached Lahore on Saturday evening after an un-authorized absence of 12 days and thought that his presence with the team should have been ensured during the ODI series in South Africa and not just the Test matches. Whereas it is the prerogative of the board in consultation with the team management that which official has to be with the team and for how long. This decision is taken purely in the larger interest of Pakistan Cricket and team's requirement. The management feels that Waqar has very little contribution in the past as far as the shorter version of the game is concerned."

It was also stated that "PCB treats all its contractual staff/consultants as professionals but regrets to mention that Waqar has failed to behave in a professional manner and has clearly violated the discipline and breached the contract which evidently documents management's discretion to send him or not on a foreign tour with the team."

Waqar intimated the board on Saturday evening about his decision to quit in a burst of anger and the board only respected his decision by accepting the same although it had full commitment to honor the contract till it expired after the end of World Cup in April 2007.

Reiterating in the end, the statement said that PCB respects all its employees, players and consultants but would not tolerate indiscipline and arrogance.

Waqar's outburst doesn't seem unwarranted under the circumstances. The PCB should have done more to communicate with him and explain their position. This is just another instance of their terrible personnel management skills, and at the end of the day, whether its about respect or arrogance, it is Pakistan cricket that suffers.