The Paradox Of Pakistan Coaching

                                 

In another worthy addition to the Well, duh... Hall of Fame -- you can place it right between "Vladimir Putin having a say in Russian politics even after his 'retirement'" and "Miley Cyrus getting a DUI on Sunset Strip sometime in the 2010s"  -- it seems Geoff Lawson is not the saviour Pakistan cricket has been looking for all this time. (Wow, really, you don't say! Who would've thunk it, huh?)

I'm not sure if Pakistan will lose their game against India and bomb straight out of the Asia Cup. They might eke out a win and get eliminated tomorrow by Sri Lanka. Either way, I'm making the least bold prediction in history and will say that Lawson will not make it through 2008 as coach of Pakistan.

Let's face it, the guy was simply out of his league from the very start. I'm sure he's a nice enough dude, probably a hard worker, but this job is for the big boys. (Hell, the last guy who tried didn't even make it out alive!)

Thanks for coming though, Henry... it was cute for a while. You can go back to commentating Pura Cup matches for ABC radio now. That's more your thing, really.

(The fact that he even tried in the first place was the most shocking thing here. Coaching Pakistan? Why would anyone want to subject themselves to that ordeal? Don't they read the papers? What makes them think they can change anything? I guess the ego can do funny things to people's perception.)

It does bring up a weird incongruity of sorts... and probably the reason why that team is destined to continue in the vicious cycle for years to come. Let's call it The Paradox of Pakistan Coaching:

Anyone who thinks they can change the poisoned culture of Pakistan cricket through their mere presence as coach is probably severely deluded and egomaniacal.

And yet...

Being deluded and egomaniacal makes you the least qualified candidate to coach the Pakistan cricket team in the first place.

How can anyone possibly get out of that logical circle?

Comments

[Som]

It was the same old story with Pakistan cricket. A new coach, a foreigner, arrives, enjoys honeymoon period, runs into trouble with coup-seeking seniors, ticks off the media and volunteers head on the chopping block. Heard PCB has sent a peon to buy Lawson's return ticket and Dr Ashraf, being a nice man, has assured Lawson that he can continue till the peon returns. Amen.

[D.S. Henry]

You're right, Som. It is so predictable by now that you can almost turn it into an algorithm, and then just substitute different variables each time.

[Q]

The PCB Chairman has put his weight behind Lawson. I guess he's staying put for now..

[D.S. Henry]

My prediction still stands, Q.

[WASIM SAQIB]

Who says he came to make things change, he is not qualified enough,
IMO he only came to make some money.
The current administration will not change him until they find another dummy to replace him.