& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

"No one in the Pakistan team is indispensable”: Zaheer Abbas

Zaheer Abbas will be the first person to remind you that he is no stranger to Dhaka. He has batted here many a times, more often than not making full use of the batting-friendly wicket to score bagful of runs. Dhaka was one of his favourite grounds, he says, dreamily reminiscing how once "Daulat (former Bangladesh pacer Daulatuzzaman) got me out when I was on 195.” Those, however, were the days when he had just arrived at first class cricket. Now nearing 50. a veteran of 78 Tests and with an enviable record of 5,062 Test runs at an average of 44-79, Zaheer Abbas is regarded as one of the few truly stylish batsmen to have graced the game. Currently, in Dhaka as the manager of the Pakistan A cricket team, Zaheer warmly proclaims, "I always enjoy coming back to this city. I love the people here, just as they love me." lit Bsilf &*r had a cordial chat with him during the Pakistan A-Sri Lank A game yesterday. The excerpts follow:

By Zayd Aimer Khan
Daily Star (DS): What are your thoughts on the tournament so faT?
Zaheer Abbas (ZA): It has been a very good tournament, nicely organised. The only thing I am disappointed with is the absence of big crowds. After a full house in the first match. I expected similar crowds in the subsequent games. Unfortunately, that has not happened.
DS: And your team's performance?
ZA: It has been good except for the wides and no-balls. Tne main reason for that is that the bowlers are bowling without studs and spikes on their boots. They are also bowling on a surface unfamiliar to them. Otherwise they are usually very ac-
DS: What do you think of the Bangladesh side?
ZA: They have improved quite a lot in the last few years and I expect them to improve even more in the near future. Since you have someone like Gordon Greenidge. there is more scope for improvement. And Kiri (Syed Kirmani) will also help develop specific skills. I think it is a good sign that you are getting professionals from different fields.
DS: How do you think countries like Bangladesh should go about developing their cricket?
ZA: The most important thing is exposure. You have to go abroad more often and get exposure. For example, when Sri Lanka first came to the international scene, they went abroad frequently and that is how they developed. I think you should start oft by visiting the SAARC countries — Pakistan. India and Sri Lanka. Playing in their domestic tournaments, like one of your teams is doing now in Pakistan, will help too. Only with such exposure can you learn about your faults and develop your technique. You could also hold this SAARC tournament more frequently.
DS: How much scope do you think does Bangladesh have for developing in cricket?
ZA: You have tremendous scope< You see. three SAARC; countries have won the World «up and are the top teapis Ln the world today. So why can Bangladesh not do well and go on to play at the international level? The atmosphere here is conducive to cricket; there is a lot of interest in the game and with proper initiative. Bangladesh should be able to reach that stage. The people here love this game and you
should develop the game as quickly as possible.
DS: Of late. Pakistan has been producing a number of quality young players. What do you think is the reason behind this trend?
ZA: Talented youngsters have always been there but it all depends on the selectors if they are to surface internationally. I am in the selection committee and we do not mind taking a few risks. We have to show our confidence in youngsters. We have even given break to some body as young as Hassan Raza, the fourteen-year-old kid. This also serves as an incentive to up and coming players. Every parent will now tell their child that he could play for Pakistan even at the age or fourteen only if he is good enough. This works as a psychological boost.
DS: Players like Mohammad Wasim. Saqlaln Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi have shown good temperament despite being newcomers to the international stage. How has this been possi-
ble?
, ZA: We, have a high standard ofjCncket in dorriestic competi-। tians.asjwe-LakeDur; game, very, sjiopaly- The boys ape used,tq playing competitive cricket. They also play for different-companies back home and to keep their jobs, they have to try ana improve constantly. This helps to improve the standard and also to build temperament.
DS: What is the criterion of selection for the Pakistan side?
ZA: Apart from ability and current form, discipline and
approach to the game are considered. But in my opinion fielding is a very important factor. Regardless of tne fact you are a world class batsman or bowler, if you can not field well, you have no room on my team. It is very simple-fielding is the first priority.
DS: Pakistan had gone through a phase of a disciplinary crisis of sorts a few years back. Now thing seem to have settled down. How has such a transition been possible?
ZA: The change actually took place as more youngsters came up. Now we have got less playerpower as we have developed a good team of back-up players. Anyone — whether he is a world class player or not. can be replaced by a younger player. A competent replacement is always available. No one in the Pakistan team is indispensable.
DS: So you think players like Mohammed Zahid and Shahid Nazir can step into the boots of Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis even?
ZA: That only time can tell, but they definitely have the potential to do so.
DS: What is the actual role of a manager in modern-day cricket?
ZA: The manager is there to solve problems for the players. We are here to help them out, to constantly guide them. The boys out there are not computers. they have to be told what is Sood for them and what is bad. helps when the manager himself is an ex-player as he can understand the players' problems better. I think having a good manager definitely affects a team.
DS: India and Pakistan have not played a series against each other at home for some time now? Do you think this trend should change?
ZA: They should definitely play frequently. Understandably. there is always a fear of unrest among the public. But I think , tlj.is Jwill normalise if more matches are played. OtK->,erwtse. all, the tension is com centrated on one or two games Only. We should also play with ' £dth 1 other r to improve Our games. If we play among ourselves in the SAARC region, it will help all the countries develop better technique and temperament. That will help our region to claim the top spot in world cricket. In that respect, this current tournament is a good step.