Don't take on officials, rivals, says Inzy

Karachi: Concerned about Pakistani players getting frequent reprimands for their on-field conduct, former skipper Inzamam-ul Haq has advised his teammates to avoid getting into skirmishes with match officials and rival cricketers. Inzamam was quoted by press trust of India after Mohammad Asif was reprimanded by Match Refree Javagal Srinath when he rushed at Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardane after bowling him out in the second match of the just-concluded Wahid Cup series on Sunday.

Referring to the reprimand issued to pacer Mohammad Asif during the recent One-Day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, Inzamam said players should be very cautious in their behaviour on the field.

"Nowadays the ICC is very strict about enforcing its code of conduct. And players, specially the senior ones, should avoid getting into minor skirmishes on the field as if they are suspended or banned it hurts them in future matches," Inzamam said.

"We suffered because of this in the World Cup when Shahid Afridi was unavailable for two crucial games. I myself have been banned a number of times in the past and it didn't do the team any good. The players must show patience and tolerance on the field," he added.

Inzamam himself was suspended for four matches for bringing the game into disrepute when he refused to lead his team onto the field during the Oval Test against England in August 2006.

"I myself have faced this problem and it doesn't help anyone," he said.

Inzamam also criticised the penalties for slow over-rates in which the captain bears the brunt if his team is behind the given time to complete their overs.

"I don't understand this rule. But then if you are bowling slowly it also means your openers have less time to rest and go out to bat. I used to lay a lot of stress on rushing the fielders between overs," he added.

The Pakistan team could face more penalties as they were at least four to five overs behind the given time in the third One-Dayer played on Tuesday.

Inzamam, who retired from ODIs after the World Cup and relinquished the captaincy, also lashed out at critics and former players who felt there was no need for a coach in the team.

"I don't bother about such people. They don't realise that cricket has changed in the last 10 to 15 years and now there is a lot off planning involved in everything. The captain does not have time to concentrate on these things. This is the job of the coach," he explained.

"All the teams who have done well in recent times have had good coaches. We definitely need to appoint a qualified coach who can help out Malik and the other players and introduce a method of playing the game within the team," Inzamam added.