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The Rediff Interview / Moin Khan

'Only those who are big hearted and take up challenges achieve success'

PART I:
'The main reason for Pakistan's inconsistent performance is poor fitness'

Pakistan has had five coaches, three captains and two cricket boards since the World Cup. There is no continuity in the cricket administration. Do you think that is one reason for all the problems?

It is one reason, but it all depends on the government. I can't say anything on this matter, but there is inconsistency. The board changes and there is pressure on the players. When there is good communication and good understanding between the players and the board things are good.

Yes, it is very important. When the board changes, the players' confidence drops. Since the last two years there was this problem. Being professionals, there shouldn't be this problem, but players feel insecure.

Is Pakistan's middle order is a little weak? You think it is difficult finding ideal replacements for Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed in the side?

It is a circle and it will go on. Younis Khan is a good find for Pakistan; he is performing very well. He got a century in his debut Test match and is doing well in the one-day matches also. So we have Yousuf, Inzamam in the middle order. They are doing pretty well.

What do you think went wrong in Australia?

It happens always in Australia. The pitch is totally different, it is very bouncy. In the other parts of the world, you won't find so much bounce; the conditions are very difficult.

But Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 on the same pitches. Also the World Series the last time you participated in it.

Yes, we won the last time, no doubt, but the Australians were too good this time. They were in form.

At what level do you think they are above the subcontinent teams?

They having been giving great performances in batting, fielding and bowling. It is a complete team and my favourite team now.

Then against Sri Lanka at home, what went wrong? What do you think went wrong?

There were changes, which I had told you earlier. When the board changes there are problems. But I would simply say that Sri Lanka played very well.

But do you think that home advantage is of importance?

Home advantage is very important.

Wasim Akram has said that we should have sporting wickets ....

Yes, if the bowling is good then supporting wickets should be given.

Who is your favorite wicketkeeper?

So far amongst current 'keepers, my favorite 'keeper is Ian Healy; in the past it was Wasim Bari, who was always my ideal 'keeper.

How did you take up to wicketkeeping?

Basically it is a challenging job, and I would also say it is a thankless job. But I enjoy 'keeping a lot; it keeps you involved all the time and I take it as a challenge.

Did you start playing as a 'keeper since you were a child?

No, it was by accident. It was in 1984. We had an inter-school match and the 'keeper didn't turn up and my teacher told me to keep wickets. I did well, so I started from there and since then I have been doing it.

What do you think is the essence of wicketkeeping? What do you need to be a successful wicketkeeper?

It depends on yourself; on how hard you work. First of all, you must be brave, because the whole day you stand, take four good catches and the fifth catch you drop, and you lose the match. Then the whole blame comes on you; that because of you the match was lost. So that is why I say that you must be brave. No one drops a catch on purpose; no one gets out on purpose. These things happen. You can say it happens because of lack of concentration, but these things happen. This is such a job that you need to be brave.

There have been so many great wicketkeepers like Wasim Bari, Alan Knott, Rodney Marsh, Syed Kirmani, Jeffery Dujon and Ian Healy. They were such big-hearted fellows and they achieved success. And only those who are big hearted and take up challenges achieve success.

What is it that you like about Ian Healy?

I like his manoeuvering and collection very much. He has outstanding collection. And the best thing I like about him is the way he collects the ball when Shane Warne bowls. I can't imagine anybody else 'keeping better than him.

You have played against India so often. What is your opinion about the Indian team? Like there was a statement made by you, that India is a team of individual performers. What is your take on the Indian team?

My statement is still the same as before. One or two players are there. Sachin is a great player and Sourav also. But when Sachin gets out, or Sourav gets out, the team loses hope. No one even tries to win the match. No doubt they are a very good team. But sometimes it feels as if no one wants to try also.

Is it the lack of bowling attack?

They don't have a good bowling line-up. Their bowling is not as good as there batting line-up. They have one good bowler -- Kumble -- in the one-dayers.

What is the difference between the Pakistan team and Indian team?

The main difference, which I feel, is that we are a more talented side than India. Technically, they are very good but the difference is, I think, the courage. I don't think there is any other difference.

You came up with innovative shots like your pull, sweep, which you used to hit McGrath and Allan Donald in the World Cup. Where did you invent those shots from?

No, it depends on the form. I am not getting runs these days. I am getting out on the first ball these days. So it all depends on the form of the batsman.

No, I am talking about the batting style, where have you developed it from?

I have developed it through hard work. That is what I am saying. When a batsman is in form then where ever you move your bat, anywhere the ball goes for a six. This happens when you are in good form. Everyone has a different style.

How much have you changed -- as a person, as a cricketer -- after marriage?

There is much change. Normally after marriage you become responsible. After I got married my luck has changed. Now I have a son, Owais. I got my first century in Tests when he was born. It was my 23rd Test match and since then I have been performing very well.

Why is it that Pakistan cricket is always targeted? Do you think the media is playing a role in it? There is ball tampering, Pakistan's name is there in it; there is the chucking controversy, Pakistan is involved in it; match fixing. What is it against the Pakistan team?

I would say about the Pakistan team that even if we score 100 runs and win the match, all these things come out after the match. That Pakistan has done ball tampering, and that is why they have won the match. There is nothing like that. The Pakistan team is a very unpredictable team. Expert cricketers all over the world say that we can do anything at any time. All the allegations are wrong and none of them have been proved as yet.

Do you think this is all media creation and there is no truth in this at all? But where there is smoke there is fire as they say.

I don't believe in all these things. I believe that if you do something bad then something bad it will happen with you. This is my belief. If you do good then some thing good will happen with you.

Do you think that the ICC lapsed on the entire Shoaib Akhtar episode? One day he lands in Australia and he is banned from playing. You think the ICC failed on that ground?

I wouldn't comment on that because the ICC has taken a decision and they took back the decision. What can I comment on that.

Do you think the ICC could have done it in a better manner? They could have been a little bit more matured in that?

After that they have disbanded their committee also. Now, what more can I say about it.

When Pakistan plays with India, there is so much enthusiasm and emotion involved. Why?

I don't know. You can say that the Indians are our old rivals. So even they must be having emotions in them against us, and I can't explain the feeling in us, and those feelings cannot be explained.

But does it actually happen?

Yes, it does. No doubt always against India. It happens with me.

You give 150 per cent against India?

Yes, I do.

Do you think -- as the media has named -- that every time Pakistan plays against India it is like jihad?

No, it's not jihad, it's a game and it is wrong to say jihad. It's a game and effort has to be put in it and a game should be taken as a game. I believe in playing the game fair, I believe in sportsman spirit.

Do you think the ICC should do something about the scheduling the number of matches? There is too much of cricket nowadays.

We are professional players; I don't have any complaint about it. I am quite happy. It depends on the board. They should do make a plan about that. But we are professionals, we have to play. We are getting money and we are getting exposure.

How did you pull your team around after two defeats against India and South Africa at Sharjah? Did you speak to the boys? What did you tell them in your team meeting?

The first match against India, the boys made the same effort but we lost. So I told the boys 'no problem we lost; nothing happened but the effort was good'. Against South Africa when we lost, I said, 'no problem, everyone has given their 100 per cent effort.' I didn't say anything else, but I saw in the boys that they that they wanted to do something. So in the third match you could see that and also in the fourth match.

How does Pakistan produce these young players? Where does all this talent come from? Young blood 15,16,17-year-old guys playing cricket.

Cricket has so much exposure on television that the boys watching learn so much. When we look at the talent in them we pick them. Shoaib Malik is such a good bowler, Imran Nazir is such a good batsman. They have the eagerness to play. The selectors have picked them and they have given good performances in domestic cricket also. Talent is lot there but we don't have proper cricket academies and proper coaching.

Do you think the domestic structure needs to be changed?

No, our domestic structure is good. There are a lot of players coming from our domestic structure also.

PART I

Interviews