Shambolic Pakistan in need of direction

Pakistan are badly in need of another Imran Khan to take charge of their cricket. For the second time in three years they let themselves down with a sickening thud in an important final at Lord's. Once again their performance reeked of disorganisation and lack of thought.

The ball was at their feet too, because they won an important toss and should have been able to set Australia a target which would have tested even their impressive resources. As it was, they batted foolishly without any plan and at 60 for 4 in the 20th over the match was already almost beyond salvation.

While Salim Elahi got a good one from Glenn McGrath, it was clear that Saeed Anwar would be a pivotal figure. He settled in, and must have known that a big innings from him was crucial to Pakistan's well-being. Yet the stroke he played against Ian Harvey, when he seemed to check his attempt to drive him over the top of mid-off, was the stroke of muddled thinking.

There was no need for that at this stage. Although runs were not coming at much more than three an over, there was only one wicket down and Saeed should have tempered his natural enthusiasm with a touch of discretion.

The enigmatic and supremely talented Inzamam-ul-Haq can never be judged as a normal mortal. He has always been a law unto himself, and when he came in he seemed to be brooding darkly.

His running between the wickets has for a long time been a joke and he now helped account for Yousuf Youhana who was left stranded, discovering after an encouraging first few strides that his partner had suddenly dropped anchor. Scampering back, Youhana was well beaten by Ricky Ponting's throw. Younis Khan, who made a good impression in the two Tests, found the occasion too much and presented Shane Warne with the first of his two catches at short midwicket.

After that, Inzamam was unlucky to be given out lbw pushing a long way forward to Warne. He was not overjoyed by the decision and proceeded to give his well known impersonation of a large snail on his way back to the pavilion. Pakistan cricket looked urgently in need of direction.