Lahore: Spectators, media and cricketers were on the lookout for the duo responsible for laying of such a placid Test wicket at the Gaddafi Stadium. Where could they be? A frantic search ensued for the chief curator Agha Zahid and groundsman Haji Bashir, and finally it was learnt that they had been protected by the PCB elsewhere.
Bashir is the groundsman who had prepared the wickets in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi while Zahid is a former Pakistan Test cricketer.
"How can anyone prepare such a wicket? Both of them should never be allowed to reach anywhere near a cricket pitch again," remarked an angry spectator.
According to information, PCB has smuggled Zahid out of the city yesterday knowing fully that he will have a tough time if he happens to be here at this stage.
He has been rushed to Faisalabad to ensure that such a wicket is not made for the second Test too.
Bashir, before disappearing, had stated that such a wicket had to be made because of the harsh winter here. He said that he'd removed the grass because he felt that the ball would hit the grass and deviate badly.
In fact, Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq had expressed his disappointment at the wicket before the start of the Test. However, what many cannot fathom here is why the grass was shaved off the wicket at the last moment.
Big question
The big question now is, was it because during India's tour of Pakistan in 2004 there was grass on the wicket and it was the Indians who had utilised it better than the Pakistanis?
On the other hand, there are many who feel that Bashir and Zahid are merely being made the scapegoats now.
Bashir has made some of the finest sporting wickets before and he would not have made such a batting paradise without instructions from the top.
On the other hand, many feel that Bashir and Zahid are merely being made the scapegoats now...
