PCB demands explanation for defeat by Sri Lanka by AFP

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Event:

Sri Lanka in Pakistan 2008/09

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DateLine: 26th January 2009

 

Pakistan cricket authorities have asked captain Shoaib Malik and coach Intikhab Alam for a detailed report on their team's loss against Sri Lanka in the recent one-day series, an official said Monday.

 

Pakistan suffered their heaviest one-day defeat when they went down by 234 runs against Sri Lanka in the third day-night international at Lahore on Saturday, handing the visitors a 2-1 win in the three-match series.

 

The home team won the first match by eight wickets in Karachi before losing the second by 129 runs, also in Karachi.

 

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt confirmed that he had demanded a detailed report on the reasons for the defeat.

 

"I have instructed coach Intikhab Alam and manager Yawar Saeed to give a detailed report on the defeat in the next few days so that we can find out what happened," Butt told reporters in Lahore.

 

"The board wants to know what has to be done to rectify the situation and set things right," he added.

 

A Senate standing committee on sports has also summoned Alam, Malik and chief selector Abdul Qadir for a hearing in Islamabad on February 9.

 

Butt, who became chairman last October, said the defeat was surprising.

 

"I am also surprised at the way our batsmen played but I can't make any further comment until receiving a detailed report. We can't tolerate such poor performances from anyone," said Butt.

 

"There is no excuse to be bowled out for just 75," Butt said of Pakistan's collapse in the third match -- their lowest one-day total at home.

 

Senate committee member Enver Beg also expressed disappointment.

 

"The whole nation loves cricket and they are disappointed, so there should be an inquiry and we must find out the reasons for defeat," said Beg.

 

"I take full responsibility of the defeat," said coach Alam. "The manner in which we succumbed in batting in the last two matches needs scrutiny and we must look into the matter and solve it," he told AFP.

 

"It can't get worse than this so we will recover with the best effort."

 

Pakistan will play two home Tests against Sri Lanka next month before travelling to Bangladesh for five one-day matches in March.

(Article: Copyright © 2009 AFP)