Any ardent Pakistani follower of the game of cricket is well aware that cricket is a team game where unity counts and yet individual performances matter. The followers of the game are also in the know that it is wanting in effort of a losing team that brings forth the warranted censures, for the followers of the game mind not a loss in this game by chance if 100% was given, in even a lost cause. It is this approach, of sweating and straining beyond one's limits in demanding situations, that a player or players make a name for themselves, becoming role models for the followers of the game. This, because such players are/were, no ordinary people; they seemingly were men of courage, demigods, whose resoluteness, daring intrepidity, confidence and self-reliance, made even a non-event the cause de celebre.

Other factors aside, it was their pluck, grit in demanding situations and against odds, which forced results contrary to the probable and the possible ending in the arena. Their ability to bear up to unwarranted and warranted pressure, their presenting a bold front to supposedly all-conquering opponents and their holding out against all odds, stamped on them the sobriquet of `stonewallers' or `icemen'. But, if this classified individual performances, there were other deeds of heroic proportions that initially went unnoticed and then, in spite of individual performances, were grudgingly acknowledged.

Such acts reflected a person who led from the front, and through their personal example, inspired, encouraged and emboldened a seemingly disheartened and disarrayed team through their dignity, solemnity and lion-heartedness. Defiance marked their approach, and as related chivalry echoed during their hours of triumph. This, because in this game of chance, cricket, a classification surfaces; individual and as a captain. Runs and wickets bestow on one the mark of a hero, and role model, that other individuals take on as role models. Yet cricket is a team game, and individual performances aside, the team that fires on all cylinders together, gets established as a team to beat, and salute. And for that the credit usually, and as a matter of fact, goes to the captain. This is so because the most enjoyable aspect of any team, win/loss notwithstanding, is the way the team players come together under a captain. As a team they practice together, properly motivated, and get united in a crises. One for all and all for one typifies their approach to one and all encounters. An attitude of commitment is visible and that is what produces heart-warming results.

But what makes a successful captain? And a good one at that?

One is aware of statements made by distinguished cricketers and scribes that `good captains are hard to come by; great ones are rare'. Yet there have been players who epitomised the traits of greats, both in individual performances and through their leadership qualities. Yes, wins got recorded through some sterling individual performances, yet it was the overall command and control by the leader, which so recorded that result and performance.

It was no different in Pakistan, and it was reflected in the teams, initially led by late Mian Mohammad Saeed, Pakistan's captain for the unofficial Tests, and late Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who not only gained Test status for Pakistan, but also recorded wins over India, England and West Indies in Pakistan's first visits to those countries.

But alas; it was too good to last, and subsequent changes in command, saw Pakistan lose the harmony that good command had fostered in the team; a struggling one at that. It was too good to last and things went wrong under subsequent captains; Fazal Mahmood, Imtiaz Ahmed, Javed Burki, Hanif Mohammad, Saeed Ahmed, Intikhab Alam, Majid Khan, Wasim Bari etc. Under Asif Iqbal and Wasim Bari, that spirit got eroded all together. Then Javed Miandad's unwarranted elevation further added to the disarray, and it was left to Imran Khan to build a team that eventually conquered the world in 1992, recorded Pakistan's first away series wins over India and England besides a honourable drawn series in West Indies. But exit Imran Khan, and the subsequent captains failed to achieve the success, which the public and the media expected. These so happened because most captains failed to lead from the front; and were wanting in the three main aspects of captaincy: Tactical (technical), Psychological and Administrative. Of all the players who led Pakistan, only Kardar, Imran and to some extent, Mushtaq Mohammad, fulfilled these requirements. These former captains had traits of good administrators, besides uncanny insight into cricket problems on the field. They somehow had a feeling for the moment when a batsman had taken measure of their bowlers, and in the midst of chaos, could remain calm, juggling their bowlers sensibly and managing to keep the weak fielder out of the way. But the real plus was their ability to assess properly the balance between attack and defense.

But they also reflected another aspect; and that was their humility in hours of triumph and chivalry in defeat. One only need recall that calculated clap of Kardar and measured steps when Pakistan triumphed over England at the Oval to square the series and Imran Khan's tribute to the losers, England, when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup, to realise what humility means. A pitfall for any captain is an exaggeration of his own unwarranted feelings when things go well and total devastation when things go wrong.

Unfortunately all this got reflected in subsequent changes in leadership that saw Wasim Akram - Saleem Malik - Wasim Akram - Rameez Raja - Wasim Akram - Saeed Anwar and again Wasim Akram in charge of the team. Thereafter came the turns of Rashid Latif – Aamer Sohail - Saeed Anwar again followed by Wasim Akram and then the current one, Moin Khan, who appears to be on his way out. Seemingly, musical chairs are on the go in Pakistan cricket, evident from the current very strong lobby promoting the cause of Waqar Younis. He too has had his short stint as a Test and ODI captain. Little do the powers that be in Pakistan cricket realise that, the would be new appointee is also as wanting in levels of command and control as his earlier captains, barring Wasim Akram.

After Kardar, Imran and Mushtaq Mohammad and to some extent Javed Miandad, and Wasim Akram, no captain to date has been able to read a game in advance. A key prerequisite of a good captain, who can even make something happen to his team's benefit. Kardar, Imran, Mushtaq, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram were technically sound, knew all the pros and cons of their and opponents and their own batsmen. All this allowed them to shift from one line of thinking to another without changing gear. A thoroughly professional outlook helped them always have some thing up their sleeves and every word said meant to be obeyed, without qualifications. Not only that; all were aware that leading Pakistan was a difficult job. While the side is winning, the captain and players are hero-worshipped and if losing, the dream world crashes all around.

Every captain should keep all this in mind more so, when he leads a side where he grudgingly deserves a place. One has no intention to demean a future Pakistan captain, yet one feels Moin Khan was a great fighter, and should be allowed to lead the team.

Pakistan cricket certainly needs a captain like Kardar, or Imran Khan each with his own leadership qualities yet both aristocratic and perfect gentlemen; generals of sort who cracked a side into line, fearing no one and caring not if they trod heavily on toes from top to bottom. One is not undermining the head and heart qualities of Waqar Younis, or even Inzamam-Ul-Haq, if he so gets the nod. Yet, one feels it is being a little unfair to Moin Khan who gets acknowledged as Pakistan's captain for tours to New Zealand, Sharjah and England by the international media through a PCB announcement a month before and now seems to be on his way out.

PCB is well within its rights to affect a change of command, and no one begrudges them about it. However, it is continuity in command that helps ensure further success in the field. This is all PCB has to keep in mind.

© Imtiaz Sipra