The following are excerpts

On Pakistan not even making the Super Eight of the ongoing World Cup

It’s very sad… Having been a former player, the pain is more… I’d never thought we would lose to Ireland… Having said that, full marks to the debutants… The Irish were all charged up and had such a terrific body language… They were outstanding in the field and bowled within themselves… A number of extras were given away, but that didn’t matter… I would like to compliment the Ireland captain (Trent Johnston) for deciding to field. He read the wicket well and wasn’t afraid of possibly having to chase big. As it turned out, Ireland didn’t have to. It’s obvious that the tie against Zimbabwe lifted their confidence.

On the controversies both before and after Pakistan’s arrival in the West Indies

Put the team under plenty of pressure… Things just weren’t handled well.

On the reasons for Pakistan’s shock ouster

First, not selecting the right team… The opening slots have been a cause of worry for so long… Imran Farhat shouldn’t have been dropped… Salman Butt, the best opener in my view, wasn’t even in the reckoning! I didn’t understand the logic in bringing back Imran Nazir… Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif’s absence made a big difference… Another reason was (captain Inzamam-ul Haq) Inzy’s reluctance to bat at No.3… His experience was needed up the order, but he preferred No.5.

On the Shoaib-Asif drama

It’s hardly a secret that both still have traces of nandrolone in their system. I don’t need to say anything else.

On whether Inzamam ought to quit as captain

Look, it doesn’t help when a captain is reluctant to lead from the front… Even against Ireland, Inzy didn’t bat at No.3. The Board has to look for somebody younger, somebody who will take up challenges.

On the one best suited to succeed Inzamam

Well, Younis (Khan) is the No.2… Sadly, I don’t find anybody who is captaincy material…

On coach Bob Woolmer

The Board has to make a change… Woolmer had three years to build the team, but we got knocked out in the very first round of the World Cup… This is a result-oriented world and people get a high remuneration to produce results. Woolmer has been a failure… The Board has to get somebody who can deliver… It could be somebody from within the country or outside… Whatever his reputation, Woolmer couldn’t do anything to avoid such a shameful ouster.

On the lessons to learn

I don’t know whether it’s going to be learnt, but the ad-hocism in the Board must end… There has to be transparency and accountability… That’s the most important lesson… Aise kaam nahin chalnewala…

On what made Pakistan tick in 1992

(Emotionally) The right selection, tremendous team spirit and the fact that the players peaked at the right time… I reckon that was the most united Pakistan team and Imran (Khan) was outstanding as captain… Throughout, he kept telling the boys ‘we can do it’… He made the team believe in what he was saying.

On Bangladesh stunning India

Well, it has put your team under a lot of pressure… The situation demands plenty of character… The Bangladesh players believed in themselves… They were outstanding in the first session and, then, treated the experienced Indian bowlers with contempt… If you ask me, Saturday was a good day for cricket and the so-called lesser teams have gained in confidence.

Finally, on the team he’s watching with interest

New Zealand… I find them a good package.