KARACHI - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Interim Management Committee member Zaher Abbas is leaving for Lahore today (Wednesday) where he is likely to attend the first meeting of the committee in next couple of days.
Talking to The Nation on Tuesday, Zaheer, who returned from London after a week-long personal tour, was quite optimistic about positive changes in the board and said that he was not in the country when the announcement was made regarding his inclusion in the five-member committee, but he was more than willing to play his part in running the affairs in smooth manners.
“Right now, I can't at comment on the role of the interim management committee, but after my meeting, which is most likely to be held in a day or so, I can confirm about the latest developments and my exact role,” he said.
When this scribe asked Zaheer about the flaws in players’ techniques, he replied: “I totally agree with that as the problem is that at this level, the players need tips to correct minor flaws in their batting. Those who understand quickly and start giving better results, they become star players but those who take too much time or do not take the advices seriously, they are bound to flop.”
“Talent is natural gift and we need to polish it. No one can bat for others so the players must remove their flaws and mistakes which are pointed out by the trainer. An ordinary player can be turned into class act, but there is absolutely no argument on natural talent, if a player really wants to represent the country, he has to work hard and to learn from his mistakes as it really works and help the player become the cricket great,” he believed.
When this scribe asked Zaheer was he ready to help batsmen, the Asian Bradman said: “If I remain in the PCB, I will surely help out players in the best possible way as my services are always available to the PCB and the players whenever and wherever required. I will definitely give tips to our batsmen and I will also help the cricket board in hunting grassroots level talent by conducting talent hunt camps in different parts of the country. It is my national and moral duty to work for the country which has given us name and fame so I want to pay back whatever I have earned from it by producing some quality players for the country who may earn laurels for Pakistan.”
Speaking about the team's performance in the first Test against South Africa, Zaheer said: “The national team has performed exceptionally well. The boys adjusted to the UAE conditions quite well and the way they played was really admirable. The most significant thing to be noted was that all the players contributed to the cause, which is very positive thing and witnessed after long time as in the past, only one or two players’ individual performances were the highlights of the team's victories but this time, every one contributed well in the team’s triumph.”
“The green shirts must not get relaxed and should continue to play aggressively as this is only way to keep Proteas at bay, as everyone is fully aware about their fighting qualities and abilities of staging fight backs. If Misbah manages to dictate terms the way he did in the first Test, Pakistan team will manage to secure series victory, a very rare feat against the top ICC Test playing country,” Zaheer concluded.