I see myself as an agent for change, says Qadir

KOLKATA: During his playing days Abdul Qadir was not only a master of his craft, but the champion leg-spinner was also a teamman to the core. The newly-appointed chief selector of Pakistan hopes to inculcate some of that quality into the current bunch of players as he kickstarts an arduous rebuilding process with an eye on the 2011 World Cup. Excerpts from a freewheeling conversation...
What is your agenda for Pak cricket?
A lot of things have changed in international cricket, but it continues to be a team game.It will be my endeavour to ensure that when the players take the field they should fight hard as a unit and develop a winning mentality.
I plan to have one-on-one sessions with each and every player and encourage them to speak their mind and allay their fears, if any, in an effort to promote harmony with the team. As selectors, we have an obligation to put a fair and transparent performance-based selection process in place.
How will you go about it?
As I said, it���s a team effort. I honestly believe that along with Javed Miandad (director general, cricket operations) and Intikhab Alam (coach), we can lay a strong foundation for the rebuilding process that should start paying dividends a couple of years down the line. To start with, we intend to identify four senior players who will assist the skipper on the field. The idea is to get everyone involved.
Indiscipline has been a major issue in sub-continent cricket. How do you plan to tackle enfant terribles like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Afridi?
PCB chief Ejaz Butt, who is a former player, has made it clear that there will be no compromise on disciplinary issues. We all agree on that. Compromises are often made when there are no adequate replacements for certain players. We intend to have a strong Pakistan ���A��� team that will serve as a pipeline for the senior team.
Pakistan have lost quite a few good players to ICL? How do you plan to fill the void?
I can only talk about who are available. No one is indispensable. There will always be someone to fill the void. When Fazal Mahmood ended his playing career, we didn���t expect someone of his calibre to come along, but in came Imran Khan and changed the face of Pakistan cricket. After Imran, we got Wasim Akram. No one goes on forever, but life does.
You have maintained that the temperamental Shoaib Akhtar still has a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket. Do you honestly believe that he can deliver?
Look, there are two types of players. A majority of players are good at their own craft and contribute to the team���s cause, but there are a few who have a winning mentality.
Shoaib has always been a match-winner and needs special handling. I will sit down with him, sort things out and hopefully open the door for him so that he can give his best to the team in the final phase of his career.
And what about Afridi, who continues to be in and out of the side?
You have to accept Afridi for what he is. Poor guy has faced too much criticism right through his career and very little credit for his efforts. Maybe, he has not quite done justice to his enormous talent, but I view him as a three-in-one player - a utility cricketer, who can turn a match with his batting, bowling or fielding.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have all experimented with foregin coaches. Are you in favour of desi or videshi coaches?
I have always believed that the subcontinent has produced so many great players that we don���t need to look beyond our shores for coaches. In any case, the appointment of a foreign coach doesn���t guarantee success. I see myself as an agent for change.
Pakistan lacks a quality spinner. Is there a dearth of talent?
There is plenty of talent, we just need to go out and spot and groom them. I feel we should have specialists for every department. I will be guiding the spinners, Shoaib is there to guide upcoming batting talents and Jaffar will handle the pacers. It will lessen the burden on coach Intikhab.