Pakistan's cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq has come under fire from the Government and Pakistan Cricket Board officials for his team's ignominious defeat against Australia in the first Test at Perth two days ago.
The country's Sports Minister Muhammad Ajmal Khan said Pakistan cricket needed spirited and aggressive captain to rejuvenate the team.
"Though I am not a cricket expert I believe that an aggressive and energetic captain would definitely help improve Pakistan's performance. We need a captain like Imran Khan or anyone near his capabilities. A slow moving captain can in no way help the team's cause," he told the media.
"Inzamam looks too unimaginative and so far has failed to handle the team," he said while suggesting for a change in captaincy.
Pakistan lost the first Test by a huge margin of 491 runs at Perth on Sunday, which was the fourth highest margin of defeat in cricket history and the country's worst-ever loss.
The Minister also took on the Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and said he was personally against appointment of foreign coaches.
"How can one expect a foreign coach to communicate effectively with players who know little English," he said questioning PCB's spending 80,000-pound-a-year on the English coach.
"I am all for local coaches, because having them would mean better communication with the players and also we wouldn't have to pay exorbitant salaries."
Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Shaharyar Khan, who is also under pressure, said despite the heavy loss, it would not be prudent to effect wholesale changes in the squad.
"Our batsmen disappointed while the performance of the bowlers was not so bad. But we will not make any decision in haste to fire anyone," he was quoted as saying in the media.
He said the bowlers had restricted the Australians in the first innings to a reasonable total but the batsmen allowed the rivals to dictate terms by throwing their wickets cheaply.
"People will wish the Board to take immediate decisions but we have to consider all aspects," Shaharyar said while backing Inzamam.
"There is no issue of captaincy and boys are playing happily under the leadership of Inzamam," he said adding ups and downs were part of any game.
But the PCB Chief admitted that the Board needed to determine if the players had any psychological problems.
"It seems they were perplexed and could not apply the footwork rightly," he said.
He also expressed disappointment over the public spat between former Pakistan coach Javed Miandad and Woolmer.
"I advise them to close the chapter as it is not benefitting Pakistan at this stage," he said.
