Is the current PCB administration capable of handling such an explosive issue? © Getty Images

Pakistan lost a Test match and a series but they might have lost something more important: their integrity. Has a day of Test cricket ever been played under such a shroud of controversy and potential disaster for a group of cricketers? Once more, an England Test series ends in unwanted allegations and accusations. A country ravaged by war and floods, now faces international humiliation over the conduct of its cricketers.

The spot-fixing crisis is a disaster for Pakistan cricket. The evidence released in the last 24 hours is some of the strongest ever presented about match-fixing. It is a criminal investigation. As a result, some of the brightest talents of Pakistan cricket face the toughest battle of their lives, the battle to save their careers. Pakistan fans will be hoping that the evidence that appears to damn their cricketers on face value does not bear scrutiny.

As we await further revelations or denial of the evidence presented, two issues are imperative. First, the evidence must be thoroughly examined for the sake of the reputations of the individuals involved. Second, if the evidence does confirm that match-fixing or spot-fixing has taken place then Pakistan cricket must not spare anybody who has been involved in any capacity, whether player, manager, board administrator, or bus driver.

Pakistan fans want their team to succeed but they also want it to be clean. If that means a root and branch overhaul of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the cricket team then so be it.

Is the current PCB administration capable of handling such an explosive issue?

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An action that sparked a furore: Darrell Hair signals five penalty runs in the Oval Test of 2006 © AFP

The Oval had been a happy hunting ground for Pakistan cricket, right up to the moment in 2006 when Darrell Hair accused the Pakistan team of ball tampering. When Inzamam-ul Haq’s players refused to take the field after the interval, I rang one of the Pakistan management to find out what was going on. “Wait and see,” he bristled with pride, “you will witness something incredible. We are not standing for this any longer.” The Oval 2006 had become Pakistan cricket’s Spion Kop, Dunkirk, and Panipat all rolled into one.

The Pakistan management played their part in the controversy but in my view, and I’m sure you’d expect me to say this, it was Hair who was the primary reason that the cricket world was plunged into crisis. No evidence of ball tampering was discovered. Hair had seized upon an opportunity to vindicate his past actions, except that he misjudged the situation horribly. His subsequent behaviour, especially his demand for a pay-off, lost him much sympathy.

For Pakistan cricket the incident at The Oval and its aftermath initially felt like a triumph. But, ironically, those days marked the collapse of the last respectable era of Pakistan cricket. Up to that tour of England, Bob Woolmer had expertly guided Pakistan’s return as a force. Yes, there was some way to go to complete the Woolmer project but a middle order of Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, and Younis Khan spoke for itself. It was the bowling that required development, much resting on the rookie Mohammad Asif.

Woolmer was supported from above and below by stabilising forces. Sheharyar Khan was the last worthy chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, as wise as Woolmer in his own diplomatic realm. The third prong of the triad was Inzamam, Pakistan’s captain and spiritual leader. His leadership style attracted criticism but he had the merits of leading by example and galvanising his chosen forces.

Sadly, in cricketing terms, the last England tour began in hope and ended in much disappointment. From that point onwards Pakistan cricket declined almost to the point of disintegration. Two factors, aside from the political environment, determined that decline. First, Inzamam and Woolmer drifted apart during that tour, their relationship, once greater than the sum of its parts, became damaging. Second, The Oval controversy was a battle too far for Khan, and he was replaced as cricket board chairman. Hair lost the battle of The Oval but the wounds he inflicted on Pakistan cricket helped to cripple it for the next four years.

The first green shoots of Pakistan’s recovery were glimpsed in England last year, as Younis' team produced an unexpected and exhilarating T20 triumph. Now, after a year of being battered in Test cricket, Pakistan have engineered two tense, stuttering, but dramatic victories. On both occasions Salman Butt’s team were written off in a series; on both occasions they came back with a surprising win.

There is something in this team, something to offer hope that Pakistan cricket can build for the future—and it is the bowling attack. There is, of course, a long way to go and the batting and fielding are still major problem areas, especially the positions of opening batsmen and wicketkeeper. But the team at The Oval was a better use of resources, a formula that made the most of the available youth and experience. Pakistan could add more experience yet in the form of Younis if the players and the cricket board can overcome their differences for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

Ultimately, though, safe-guarding harmony and the progression of the cricket team, even a green-shoots squad like this one, is the sole responsibility of the Pakistan Cricket Board. This Pakistan team are nowhere near world beaters yet but they should not be lunging so dramatically between triumph and disaster. The performance curve might be edging gradually upwards, and the variation in performance should become less dramatic as Pakistan muddle their way to a successful formula. Yet, even at this moment of success, it is important to be mindful that until the PCB sees a change in personnel at the top, green shoots will remain green shoots, sporadic and a long way from blossoming

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Among the many disasters during the regime of Butt, the suggestion of ethnic prejudice is among the gravest © AP

The Karachi City Cricket Association has called for the removal of Ijaz Butt as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Its central grievance is that Karachi-based players are being discriminated against in the selection process. The facts, they argue, speak for themselves. Tanvir Ahmed is the only Karachi-based player left in the squad.

Critics have started calling the Pakistan team a Punjab XI. They identify the omissions of Younis Khan, Fawad Alam, and even Mohammad Sami as evidence to support their case. Danish Kaneria, another Karachi player, was suddenly chopped from the squad and replaced by a promising Punjabi teenager. With Umar Gul out with injury and Yasir Hameed unable to earn selection, the taunts of Punjab XI may well become reality at the Oval.

If only Punjabis stride out to represent Pakistan in the next Test it will be a shameful moment in the history of Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan team has always been a microcosm of the greater struggle of the Pakistani nation, whose founder's ambitions were to bring together the peoples of the four major provinces of Pakistan. Among the many disasters during the regime of Butt, this suggestion of ethnic prejudice is among the gravest.

Karachi has produced some of the greatest cricketers in the history of Pakistan cricket. Hanif Mohammad, the holder of Pakistan's highest Test score, and Javed Miandad, in my view the best of all Pakistani batsmen, both hail from the heaving, over-populated metropolis that is Pakistan's largest city. Indeed, a neat but inaccurate generalisation suggests that Karachi has produced Pakistan's batsmen while the northern parts have produced the bowlers.

The power struggle between Lahore and Karachi, Punjab and Sind, has been an ever present backdrop to Pakistani life, waxing and waning with political regimes and the passage of time. Now the decision-making of Butt's regime has brought the issue into sharp focus again. He denies any regionalism in the selection process, saying that the selectors have chosen the best players available but here is why he, personally, has a case to answer:

1. The notion of an autonomous selection panel is a myth. Butt has taken too personal an involvement in selection matters, sometimes making decisions without the knowledge of the chairman of selectors. Some of Pakistan's greatest cricketers have begun working with the cricket board and then resigned. Butt's interference has been a deciding factor. Hence the responsibility for the current situation rests with him and his master, the patron of the cricket board.

2. The gross imbalance in the origins of the squad members is a statistic that cannot be ignored. This is not an argument for a quota system, nor is one desirable. But it beggars belief that a province the size of Sind, and with its tradition of cricket, cannot produce more cricketers to represent Pakistan. There are two possible explanations. Either the selection process is biased or the development of cricketers in Sind is being mishandled. In either scenario, Butt and his cricket board are responsible.

3. Some of the omitted Karachi cricketers have arguable cases. One player's case is clear cut. Younis Khan, who the cricket board has admitted has no case to answer, remains unselected. He was available for selection at the start of the tour but wasn't included. Now that the board has decided to recall Mohammad Yousuf - and let us put aside the issue of whether it was right or wrong to change the squad at this point - why is Younis, a Karachi-based player, not offered the same clemency? If anything, Younis had a stronger case for a return considering his recent appearances for Surrey.

The failings of Butt and his PCB regime have become legend. By constantly interfering with selection policy he must take direct responsibility for the failures of selection on this tour, which have left the team pitifully short of viable options. Even the existing options, such as Yasir Hameed, have not been tried. Further, the regional bias in selection, whether through intent or mismanagement, is also his responsibility.

In these circumstance, how can the Pakistani selectors continue in post? Mohsin Khan's reputation is being damaged by the second. A hero of Pakistan cricket is being walked all over. He only need look at the examples of Abdul Qadir and Aamir Sohail to see what the correct course of action is. It takes integrity to step away from a senior position on a point of principle. But integrity is in short supply among those who run Pakistan cricket.

These pages have been calling for Butt's resignation or removal for over a year. This has been the most damaging regime in the history of Pakistan cricket. Butt has run it like a dictator, taking comfort in the strength of his political connections. Meanwhile, the organisation that he runs has disintegrated below him.

The most important outcome of the work of the Pakistan Cricket Board is the performance of the cricketers who represent the aspirations of an embattled nation. The performances speak for themselves. The imbalance in selection means that a team unrepresentative of Pakistan is taking the field. Whatever that team is, however, it deserves our support. But the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the man who engineered this disaster, does not.

Of course, President Zardari has other matters on his mind, such as dodging shoes and convincing his people that he does care about flood victims. He might also consider the irony that his visit to England was less important to Pakistanis than the visit of his country's cricketers. They are the most visible and engaging ambassadors of Pakistan on the international stage.

Just as Pakistan deserves better from its leaders in so many other spheres, cricket is no exception. While President Zardari would never sack himself, he can easily sack Butt. Politicians, administrators, former players, journalists, and fans need to raise their voices in protest. Zaheer Abbas, a Punjabi living in Karachi, said Pakistan cricket is heading for disaster. I'll go one step further - Butt has led Pakistan cricket to calamity and must be removed.

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Zulqarnain Haider almost produced an incredible hundred in a match where virtually nothing was expected of him © AFP

Pakistan's replacements provided the only positives from the defeat at Edgbaston. Of the two, Zulqarnain Haider was the brighter. Yes, he dropped catches but you might excuse those as debut nerves. He also bagged a golden duck. Nerves again. But despite these setbacks he almost produced an incredible hundred and made himself a major player in a Test match where virtually nothing was expected of him.

It is too early to judge what impact Haider will have on international cricket. At the very least, he should have earned himself the big gloves for the rest of the Test series. This doesn't spell the end for Kamran Akmal. He should still be Pakistan's first choice in limited-overs cricket. And a break from Test cricket might help him resolve the technical problems that have dogged him for nearly five years. It is simply a relief to have choice.

Similarly, Saeed Ajmal made enough of an impact to dislodge Danish Kaneria this summer, which is a graver problem for Kaneria as he is superfluous in other formats. Ajmal has much to prove too but the character he showed at Edgbaston makes him the kind of personality that should be in a Pakistan squad. Unfortunately, Pakistan's ideal long-term solution would be a legspinner or slow left arm bowler to partner the pace attack.

As a consequence, the future looks bright for Raza Hasan but it would be tough to make him the sole spinner for The Oval. If Pakistan select Ajmal and Hasan, the tail will be too long or the fast bowlers too few. This is one of many thorny dilemmas for Pakistan's management, reminding us of the limitations of the touring party chosen by the selectors.

Based on the current squad, and with the Pakistan Cricket Board who knows who might be in the squad in a week's time, here are the questions facing Waqar Younis and Salman Butt:

1. Salman's form has disappeared since he accepted the captaincy. There is no sense in replacing the skipper but how does Salman get back into the groove? A Pakistan captain, epecially a young one, has to lead by example. The cricket board needs to help him here by backing him rather than undermining him. A captain needs to feel secure and in command to be properly effective. Yes, he might make mistakes in selection and strategy but that's the trade-off in choosing a younger man.

2. Despite being the better of the two openers in recent matches, Imran Farhat's form is a chronic issue rather than an acute one. England's opening bowlers have also settled into a perfect rhythm bowling at Pakistan's left-handed openers. Is it worth trying a left-hand and right-hand opening combination? Azhar Ali could do the job. Indeed he plays more like a determined opener than a number three.

3. Pakistan need experience at numbers three and four. Yasir Hameed is unfortunate to have been left on the bench while Pakistan's batting has failed miserably. It must now be time to give him an opportunity, and he could play at number three.

4. Mohammad Yousuf's recall has been controversial but what to do? By the time of the third Test, fatigue will no longer be an issue and although he will be little better prepared, he has to play. Otherwise there was no point in recalling him from retirement and sending him to England.

5. The question of Shoaib Malik's role is a vexed one. He has done little of note in this series but then neither has anybody else. Pakistan's best option has to be pack the team with as much middle-order experience as is available. Which means that whatever the politics, Malik should keep his place. He will also be required as second spinner.

6. Umar Akmal has dissapointed his many fans. The boy has class but he has displayed little temperament. We should not damn him on the basis of this summer. Inzamam-ul Haq had a poor first tour of England, and look how he ended up. Umar has serious talent, he needs some wise heads around him. Perhaps the biggest mistake was making him the elder statesman of the middle order too soon.

7. Azhar Ali and Umar Amin have both found this tour tough. Of the two, Azhar has been the more impressive. They might both have a bright future but this tour was the wrong baptism. Insufficient squad depth means that Azhar should keep his place although it is time for Amin to take a breather.

8. With Umar Gul's injury, Pakistan face a straight choice between Wahab Riaz and Tanvir Ahmed. That's a tough decision as neither has international pedigree. This is where Waqar's skills will be invaluable and he should know which of the two is the better bet. Tanvir also has a strong domestic record to back his case.

9. Almost as much as with their batting, Pakistan lost the match because of their fielding. In fairness they do practice hard, especially slip catching. Catching like batting is all about confidence, little wonder then that both disciplines have collapsed together. A fielding coach, and I don't mean Ijaz Ahmed, is desirable.

10. The solution to Pakistan's dismal form might be more practice or less practice, depending on which sage you ask. But international cricket is a mind game, and the self-inflicted wounds of the past weeks have scrambled the senses of Pakistan's cricketers. Perhaps that explains why the best performers at Edgbaston were untainted by the earlier defeats of the summer?

An ideal management approach is to create a coccooned environment for the players, which protects them from selection dramas while they complete their development as international cricketers. This is especially valid for young cricketers. But that isn't the way of Pakistan cricket. It is a bear pit where only the most combative and the most ruthless survive. The board and the management team need to raise their game otherwise this tour will only get worse.

The performances of Pakistan's cricketers have been ridiculed in the past few days. Their Test status questioned. We should remember that these players hail from a country crippled by conflict, burdended further by a natural disaster affecting 15 million people. Its cricket board is a basket case and has been for years. No international cricket is played within its borders, and the team had barely played a Test match for three years leading up to last winter.

Isn't it still something that we can still marvel at players like Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif, and sometimes Umar Akmal?

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Salman Butt faces the tough task of keeping a side in turmoil focused © AFP

After the fuss over Mohammad Yousuf's return, tiredness and lack of practice have ensured that Salman Butt can fight another battle with his team. It is time to stand and deliver.

Yousuf says he has been unable to practice for almost two weeks. That knowledge combined with the short gap between the first and second Tests raises further questions about the sanity of the Pakistan Cricket Board in rushing back Yousuf from his reverie.

At the toss, Salman pointed at the construction work around Edgbaston, explaining that the building work might look ugly but the finished product will be worth seeing. Nice analogy but any buliding work needs to show evidence of progress or the builders will get the boot. Any half-competent builder will also ensure that the foundations are not dodgy.

Two of the changes are understandable. Kamran Akmal still hasn't got over the problems that were dogging him on the last tour of England in 2006, which means we've endured 4 years of his uncertain form. The question is whether Zulqarnain Haider has enough quality to hold his nerve in Test cricket?

Saeed Ajmal, we know, is an exceptional performer in limited overs cricket, and now has a chance to demonstrate his ability at Test level. With Danish Kaneria's persistent ability to disappoint, Ajmal is the only option in the current squad.

The key, however, will be Pakistan's batting. No change, and particularly no return for Yasir Hameed, are a major surprise. All the top six, apart from Salman, have something to prove in Test cricket. This is not a happy situation. Pakistan's batsmen seemed unaware of the virtues of not pushing at the ball in English conditions. They are surely good enough to have learnt that lesson quickly?

However well they now perform, the needless drama of the last week has heaped further pressure on this young team. The drama, and the non-selection of Yousuf, has exposed a rift between the cricket board and the captain and coach. The euphoria of Headingley was short lived. Batting first was a sign of positive intent or perhaps a show of defiance. Salman's soldiers will require both these qualities if they are to recover from the damage inflicted over the last week.

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Logic would not have produced an urgent recall for a retired cricketer who hasn't played first class cricket in months © Associated Press

Pakistan's depressing defeat at Trent Bridge has exposed the hollowness of the Pakistan Cricket Board's claims that we are entering a new era in Pakistan cricket. A ruling body with any sense of purpose, process, or principle would have stuck to its guns as, in the words of the Pakistan captain, the new era is only two Tests old.

First, let's put aside the issue of whether or not Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan should have been in the original touring party. They were not. We should also temporarily put aside, although it is difficult, the result at Trent Bridge. It is still one win and one defeat in the reign of Salman. I urge you to focus on the decision to appoint a young captain with a young team. I've been as concerned about the inexperience in this squad as any Pakistan fan. But if these players have been identified as the best to take Pakistan cricket forward they should been allowed a longer run without interference.

Logic suggests that you back that captain and his team. You also back your recently appointed coach, who happens to be one of the greatest cricketers in your country's history. Despite some imaginative spin from Pakistan's cricketing bureaucrats, there is no reason to question the reporting on Cricinfo and elsewhere of the post-match statements made by Salman and Waqar Younis. They were powerful messages that the team required support and time. Indeed, they were a plea for patience. Waqar even questioned why you would recall under prepared Mohammad Yousuf from retirement?

The PCB now claims that both Salman and Waqar were consulted about the decisions to recall Yousuf, drop Danish Kaneria, and call up Raza Hasan, who is undoubtedly a player with immense promise. Many bosses say they have consulted their staff when, in truth, they have merely informed them of a decision. This is the scenario that has played out in the last few days - and it is an unsatisfactory one. Ijaz Butt has instantly undermined the new regime that he contrived to put in place in Pakistan cricket.

But logic has rarely been a factor in the PCB's decision making. Logic would have suggested better use of the resources within the current squad, such as recalls for Yasir Hameed and Saeed Ajmal or a replacement for Kamran Akmal. Logic would not have produced an urgent recall for a retired cricketer who hasn't played first class cricket in months, however great he once was. The time for change of captain or players was between series not in the middle of this one.

In the end, we must hope that Salman and Waqar will brush off this insult. Ironically, the enigmatic relationships within the Pakistan camp will mean that Yousuf is more welcome than Younis Khan would have been, although Younis may have a stronger cricketing case for a recall. But the great unknown is how a damaging relationship between Yousuf and Shoaib Malik can be healed?

The Pakistan cricket team has had other defeats as embarrassing as the loss at Trent Bridge, usually with far more experienced personnel. In addition, poor fielding and poor bowling contributed to the extent of the loss, not just the woeful batting. The best response from the cricket board would have been to avoid meddling and allow the players to respond in more favourable playing conditions away from Trent Bridge. Instead, the board has meddled, and it is this knee-jerk interference that destroys the talent and confidence of Pakistan's cricketers, demoralises fans, and earns the cricket board a reputation as an organisation without vision, skill, sense or logic.

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