A title triumph in the tri-series final against India in Bangladesh, followed by another win against the arch-rivals at home in the Asia Cup. Pakistan might not figure in the final on Sunday, but their recent results aren’t the kind that usually warrants a change at the top.

But the local media here is full of stories about the ‘last few days’ for captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson. On Friday, a news agency even went to the extent of naming former skipper Intikhab Alam as Lawson’s replacement. PCB was quick to deny and even Alam told The Indian Express that he hadn’t heard about it.

While speculations over the status of the present coach and captain will take time to die down, an air of ambiguity has once again shrouded Pakistan cricket. Alam isn’t going by the results when he says that the think tank has failed to keep the team together.

“It is more about players not understanding the language of their coach and the captain not being able to motivate his players,” he says. Officially, the PCB presents a happy family picture but off record, officials speak about the growing discontent within the team and acrimony over selection.

Alam is candid in his criticism of Malik. “A captain may be as good as his team but he’s still the leader of the pack. He’s got to lead from the front. This is not just about his cricket alone; his conversation skills, the ability to handle external issues deftly are all a part of his job. Education matters a lot here,” he says.

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