PCB committee to evaluate debacle

The PCB has reacted strongly to Pakistan's dismal performance in Australia, where they were whitewashed 3-0 in the Tests for the fourth consecutive time by the hosts and 5-0 in the ODIs. Wasim Bari, the board's chief operating officer, will head an inquiry committee of six members to evaluate Pakistan's display, provide a comprehensive analysis and make recommendations for any possible changes.

"A full-time analysis is needed and we will definitely take corrective measures to improve the performance of our national team," Bari told AFP. "We, at the PCB, are as disappointed as any other cricket fan."

Pakistan's chief selector Iqbal Qasim offered his resignation in the immediate aftermath of Pakistan's ODI series defeat and called for a "major surgery on the team." Some former players have called for a revamp in the PCB while fans have vented out their anger at the players as well as the administration. "Fans expect a lot from the team and after the defeat they vented their anger. But we are going to address the grey areas and do our best to remove those flaws," Bari said.

Bari admitted fielding had been a major worry but Pakistan had tried to address the issue after the New Zealand series, appointing Waqar Younis as the bowling and fielding coach. He added the PCB were looking for a specialist fielding coach after a disappointing display on both tours. "The top weakness is in our fielding," he said. "Nearly 30 dropped catches on the tour of Australia and New Zealand and six, seven run-outs [were missed, which] speak of the great weakness in fielding and we are looking for a specialist fielding coach to improve this area.

"If we improve our fielding and show character in matches then we can give tough times to all the teams in the world and we have done that in the past."