Tauqir Zia speaks out on Pakistan team 'thought leader'

LAHORE - For the third series in succession, the PCB is engaging an extra official, this time for the tour to Australia for the three-match Super Challenge tournament. Dr. Aamer Siddique, previously designated 'thought leader', now 'human resource consultant', is basically meant to motivate the players to optimise their performance levels.

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia - Chairman, PCB Photo © PCB

There has been some criticism of the idea, mainly based on the issue of the cost involved, but the PCB, even in these times of financial difficulty, largely remains unfazed. "We would like to focus on the benefits rather than the cost. And we feel that any expenditure on the development and self-enrichment of the human resource representing Pakistan at this critical juncture is money well spent", said the PCB chairman, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia while talking to this correspondent.

"While we do not want to be drawn into an unnecessary controversy, the fact of the matter is that for one we have observed that Dr Aamer's contribution in the team's recent resurgence was of some consequence. Secondly, the sum involved has been wrongly quoted as 1 million rupees. The actual cost is much less. And, let me repeat that the benefit of having a human resource specialist available to the boys by far outweighs the cost", said the PCB chairman.

"One problem in our environment is that the moment you digress from the trodden path, and try new ideas, instead of getting marks for taking new initiatives, you get uncalled for criticism. Instead of the cost involved, the point to note here should have been the merit of the concept and the suitability of the person engaged. There is universal acknowledgement that the output of even the best of the best professionals improves when experts adequately motivate them.

"And Dr. Aaamer's credentials as a human resource expert are pretty good. Actually what he is being paid for his services is well below the market rate. So being forward-looking is costing us something, but rest assured it is not a limb", said Lt Gen Tauqir Zia.

Another important factor, which has gone unmentioned so far but of crucial importance, is the mental level of the Pakistani players. Most of them, even the senior pros exposed to world cricket for a number of years, remain huge underachievers, and have next to no communication skills. That is why Pakistan cricket may be facing a 'captaincy crisis' once Waqar Younis and others of his vintage retire, which is not that distant in future.

If the 'thought leader' or 'human resource consultant' call him what you may, could offer some panacea for these two ills - under-achievement and lack of well-rounded personalities in the squad, it would really be some feat.