KARACHI, 1 November — Pakistan captain Waqar Younis in public is normally a man of few words, but yesterday he reacted strongly to the recent spate of criticism from former players and critics aimed at the senior team and the cricket board.

“I don’t mind criticism. After 13 years in this profession, I can take it. But getting up everyday and reading the criticism from former cricketers and by the media, I am totally at a loss to understand what is happening.”

“In Pakistan cricket, I know that even if you win ten matches and lose one or two the criticism starts. But what purpose, is all this criticism some of it totally baseless and uncalled for serving. Is it helping the team become a better team I don’t think so.”

“If the idea is to force a change in the board, I don’t know if this is wise after the recent reinforcement of confidence by President Pervez Musharraf in the PCB chairman,” he added.

The Pakistan captain said he didn’t mind criticism but what was happening these days was a shame.

“This is a crucial time for the team. We are trying to strike a right balance for the World Cup. Things have not been easy for us with so many senior players either injured or not playing. We have also made some mistakes,” he stated and added: “At least we had the courage to face one of the best teams in the world (Australia) with such an inexperienced and young team on neutral grounds.”

The Pakistan team and board has come in for scathing criticism everyday in the national press from former players and administrators after the recent three-nil defeat to Australia and poor performances in one-day competitions before that.

“I can only appeal to the media, former players and the general public that this is the time when we need their whole-hearted support and understanding or else I don’t know how we are expected to do well in coming events.”

Making it clear he still had a lot of faith in his team, Waqar said he was looking forward to the Zimbabwe tour in a positive frame of mind.

“The return of senior players like Inzamam and Youhanna will bring more balance and depth into the batting, which has been a problem for us. The bowling has been OK although we can do better.”

“After the sort of performances we have given in recent weeks, I don’t think we can afford to take Zimbabwe lightly and they always have been tough customers on their own grounds. If we can do well against them I think it will help us go to South Africa in a more confident state of mind,” he added.

The Pakistan squad leaves today on its twin tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa where they play four Tests and 10 One-Day Internationals.

The twin tours are seen as critical to Pakistan’s preparations for next year’s World Cup.

The Pakistan captain said the tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa were crucial for Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup. “There is not much time left now for us to experiment any longer. We have to strike the right balance on these tours. We will put our mind and soul into our cricket in Zimbabwe.”

Pakistan’s batting has been in shambles in recent weeks and not once against Australia could Pakistan cross-300 in six innings without Inzamam and Youhanna not playing due to injuries.

Dismissing speculations off all not being well in the team, he said that whenever the team lost such rumors were made but were not true.

“Look the team has not performed well because of cricket problems. We have had a major problem with our opening pair since the pair of Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail split up. It is nothing new.”

“We have tried several combinations in the last one year. I think we have given fair chances to players like Imran Nazir and others. We can just look for the solution.” However, he admitted that perhaps the inconsistent policy in selection of openers had also contributed to the failure to find a reliable opening pair. But he remained confident that with the return of Saleem Elahi and the presence of Taufeeq Umar, a solution might be close.

“I know Saleem’s selection has been criticized. But he is a good cricketer and has lot of potential and talent. He is a seasoned player. He has been in good nick in recent times and I hope he does well.” Waqar also made it clear that he had no problems with the introduction of penalties and fines in the player’s contract by the board pointing out that he supported any move, which could draw positive results.

“If the board thinks this performance based clauses is good for the team, I have no problems with that. I don’t think any player(s) will be concerned with it.” He laughed off suggestions that the introduction of cash incentives for players to do well could be exploited by bookies.

“Look these incentives have been in our contracts for a long time now. They are not new and if bookmakers want to corrupt players or decide their performances they can make attempts any time. But I don’t think any bookie will now try to make any move with the stringent security measures taken by the ICC.”

Senior players welcome new rule

Pakistan’s senior players have welcomed the introduction of the Performance Based Emolument clause in the players contract that was Monday offered to the Zimbabwe-bound Pakistan team.

Pakistan’s vice captain Inzamam-ul Haq said he fully supported the concept of reward and punishment for the national team players.

“I fully endorse this move of the PCB because if we win, we will earn more and if we lose, then there should be some punishment as well. I am confident that this will only help the Pakistan players,” he said.

“If you look back at 10 years of team’s performance, Pakistan has won nearly 70 percent of the games. In addition to this, the clause is more enterprising and attractive for the youngsters who will increase their efforts on and off the field,” he said.

Inzamam also believed that the clause would increase the pressure on the senior boys to perform and described it as a positive move, which will benefit the players.

“I support the idea and I have no reason to understand that any player would object to it,” he added.

The PCB on Monday announced that a player could be fined upto $1,000 if found unfit and overweight and the team would be docked 20 percent of its match, tour and additional fees if they lost a Test or One-Day International.

But if the team won a Test or ODI, it would be paid 20 percent extra of its match, tour and additional fees.

Pakistan’s senior batsman Yousuf Youhanna said that as professionals if the team and players were being rewarded handsomely for a win, then they should not protest on the deduction of certain percentage in case of defeat.

“It is a good decision and hopefully there will be a mass improvement in the performance of the team. As regards fitness, I totally agree with the establishment that it is the sole responsibility of the individual to keep himself fit upto international standards.” Pakistan manager Brig (retd) Khawaja Mohammad Nasir also backed the new clause describing it as a big incentive for the players.

Former captains Javed Miandad and Aamer Sohail also backed the Performance Based Emolument clause.

“It’s a very positive move because from the angle I am seeing it, it would only benefit the players. If they go out there, play positive cricket and win more matches, they would earn more,” Miandad told Reuters.

“In the forthcoming ten One-Day Internationals in Africa, if the Pakistan team wins seven matches, each player would earn 80 percent more than he would have actually got according to the previous contract,” Miandad said.

“It is a wise decision that is once again aimed at getting the best out of the players and at the same time helping them financially,” was Sohail’s opinion.

“I am a firm believer that despite a recent poor run of form, this Pakistan team can easily get into top three.” Sohail also called for this system to be introduced at the domestic level to financially help the first-class cricketers and discourage their efforts to play abroad.