Manager Intikhab Alam on Thursday expressed confidence that Pakistan cricket was heading in the right direction after drawing the two-Test series against South Africa. Both Tests were drawn and Alam believes this will establish a solid platform for his team to build upon following a turbulent last four months.
Pakistan cricket was rocked by spot-fixing allegations which led to the suspensions of former Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, leaving them to rebuild their system. The International Cricket Council directed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take serious measures to curb corruption and disciplinary problems in their cricket or face crippling sanctions.
Alam said Pakistan cricket was progressing both on and off the field. "We have put in a lot of efforts and I think with a good result in the two-Test series and off-field measures we are progressing in a positive manner," the former captain and coach told AFP.
Alam said his players had also shown a positive attitude. "I am happy with the way the players performed and more importantly behaved off the field, because we gave everyone certain responsibility and I can confirm that all the players were up to the mark," said Alam, who praised new Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
"A lot of people had criticised Misbah's appointment as captain, but he projected himself very well, performed to his abililties and kept a good rapport with the players," he added.
Alam said wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider's fleeing from the team hotel was the only unfortunate incident of the tour. "Haider disappointed us and it was the only unfortunate incident of the tour but it was solely his fault, he should have told us and we were there to solve the problems," said Alam.
Haider fled the team hotel in Dubai to London on the day of the fifth and final one-day match on November 8, saying he had received threats from unknown people. Haider later announced his retirement from international cricket and applied for political asylum in Britain. The PCB suspended Haider's contract and formed a three-man committee to inquire into Haider's case.
"We have completed our report on Haider which we will hand over to the PCB in the next couple of days," said Alam who is a member of the committee. Alam said the players will assemble in Lahore on December 7 for a short training camp ahead of the tour of New Zealand where Pakistan play three Twenty20, two Tests and six one-day internationals.
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