LAHORE, Pakistan, 17 October 2003 — Cricket legend Imran Khan lauded South African skipper Graeme Smith yesterday for lifting his team after its World Cup debacle, but criticized Pakistan’s efforts to rebuild its side.
“Smith has changed the South African team,” the former Pakistani all-rounder, now an MP, told AFP.
“They have only changed the captain after the World Cup, which is a short-term remedy, and with the same coach Eric Simons, Smith has lifted the team. His impact is big on the team,” he said.
But he slammed his home team’s attempts to rebuild. “Pakistan seems clueless and playing with a changed team is not rebuilding, it’s a process which needs a base — too many changes is not rebuilding, it’s not sensible,” said Imran, who played 82 Tests for Pakistan from 1971 to 1992.
“Had I been South African captain, I would have been happy that Pakistan has too many changes after the one-dayers,” said Imran, who led Pakistan to 1992 World Cup triumph. “They are bringing the same players dumped after the World Cup.”
Former captain Intikhab Alam also had few kind words for the Pakistan team.
“Selectors are at sea who to play, they get panicky after defeats and I am hearing this rhetoric of rebuilding for the last four years,” he said. South Africa beat Pakistan in the one-day series because of their aggression, he added.
