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Pakistan's most consistent and backbone of middle order batting, Yousuf Youhana, was sent home for indiscipline by the tour management, shattering team spirit.

No one in their right mind would compromise on the discipline count. The episode that resulted in Youhana being sent home, speaks more of mismanagement and poor handling of the situation by the incompetent and highly paid team management.

Youhana has no track record of misconduct. He is a man of few words. He is not a big-headed player and even in moments of glory does not vent his emotions to cross the barriers of decency. It is for the first time that one has heard of his behaviour which annoyed the team management so much that it had no option but to send him back from Kenya.

It seems that the tour management blew the situation out of proportion and misinformed the PCB chief, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia who believed them and agreed with their decision.

The whole problem as reported from Kenya in the media cropped up when Youhana did not follow the instructions of team captain, Waqar Younis, to turn up at the nets for batting practice. It has been reported that he was doing limbering exercises on the ground as he had sore shoulder and had undergone MRI test which indicated some injury.

The question is was the team doctor unaware of Youhana's injury? Did Youhana go for the MRI test on his own without consulting the doctor? If Youhana was sent by the doctor to undergo MRI Test, it was the responsibility of the doctor to inform the captain and coach of his injury. The doctor failed in his duty. Perhaps the doctor is on a joyride and hardly bothers to perform his duties.

Secondly it was not so serious a situation that forced the team management to report the matter to the PCB chief and seek his approval in sending Youhana home. The team management showed poor judgement. Such incidents do occur on every tour when the management has to handle players with understanding, patience and tolerance.

Sportsmen are high profile people and need to be handled tactfullywhich neither the manager, the "indispensible" Yawar Saeed nor, coach Mudassar Nazar exhibited. About captain, Waqar Younis one can say that since he is a fast bowler, he could have acted in usual fast bowler's temperament.

Whatever Youhana did must have been not so serious which could not have been handled. It was sheer poor management that has damaged the team spirit and no effort will be able to bring back harmony to the team.

The damage is irreparable. Whatever the PCB chief may do he will not be able to restore the confidence of the players. The team'sperformance at Tangiers was a signal of some disharmony amongst the players. Several players did not take the decision of dropping Saeed Anwar and Saqlain Mushtaq from the crucial match against South Africa and the result proved the team management's blunder.

The most surprising thing is that once again, the PCB chief accepted the version of the tour management in whom he has full faith. There is no reason why he should not show faith in his own appointed men. It is time that he should keep his prejudices and bias aside if he wants to run cricket affairs above intrigues. Now some heads have to roll after the present safari.

Mudassar and Yawar have to make room for some balanced heads. The big question is whether Waqar will be able to keep his post intact. When Gen Tauqir Zia will make a thorough probe, which he should in the best national interest with an open mind, he will reach a conclusion that his own men have betrayed him.

The PCB chief's decision to send back Youhana after getting full fitness at home is simply an eye wash. If anyone thinks that the problem between the skipper and Youhana has been resolved is sadly mistaken. The damage has been done and any amount of cover up is not going to repair it.

The team's performance against Australia in Nairobi is proof enough of the management and handling of the players by the officials who have been fully exposed.

The PCB boss will have to do some soul searching and take immediate steps before it is too late and the team is destroyed by coach and manager. And if Youhana's return was not enough they committed blunder against Aussies by changing the batting order promoting out-of-form Abdul Razzaq with an out of sorts Imran Nazir. This too showed lack of competence of the tour management.

© Dawn