LAHORE, June 19: While challenging the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) wisdom to interview those who did not apply for the post of Pakistan coach in response to the board’s advertisement, Javed Miandad has pointed out that seeking the regional heads’ confidence in Bhurban by the PCB chief indicates his weakness.
Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, Miandad, an icon in the world of cricket, criticised the PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf’s move of taking confidence vote from the regional heads by offering them a tour of Bhurban last Saturday.
Read More @ Dawn
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Question of the Coach
Former Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore was left as the main contender to coach troubled Pakistan after his Australian compatriot Steve Rixon ruled himself out. Pakistan are due to shortlist candidates later this week to replace Bob Woolmer, who died at the World Cup in Jamaica in March prompting a police investigation and controversy. Police this week announced that he died of natural causes, not murder. Rixon, the former New Zealand coach, told AFP from Sydney that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did contact him about the role but he had already made other plans.
"I am grateful that they did make contact but at this point in time I have decided to coach private schools in Australia and am not inclined to take an international assignment," said Rixon, who has also been linked to Sri Lanka.
Whatmore was not immediately available for comment. PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf mentioned both Whatmore and Rixon earlier this week when asked on television about the criteria for Pakistan's next coach. Ashraf said he was still certain a suitable coach would be found.
"We will shortlist three to four candidates on Saturday and I hope that anyone who might have fears will review his decision," Ashraf told reporters in Islamabad late Wednesday.
Rixon had previously linked his decision about whether to apply for the Pakistan job to the findings in the Woolmer's case.
"I'm finding it extremely hard to get over the fact Woolmer is no longer with us, to be honest. I'd never say never (to going for Pakistan) but I'll be interested in the result of the inquiry," Rixon said last month.
Besides Rixon and Whatmore, Pakistan also targeted Englishmen Tim Boon and Martyn Moxon for the job. Ashraf on Wednesday defended his determination to hire a foreigner, saying that players like being coached someone from outside the country.
"We are looking for a young coach with computer knowledge. There is dissent between players and a local coach and a foreigner does not get involved in politics," Ashraf said.
Intikhab Alam, a former Pakistan captain and coach of the team which won the World Cup in 1992, disagreed.
"Politics and infighting are due to weak management," Intikhab said. "Look at what Woolmer did to Pakistan cricket and (Greg) Chappell did to Indian cricket. Total mess."
Chappell quit the India job after Pakistan's arch rivals also flopped at the World Cup, a decision his elder brother Ian said was prompted by Woolmer's death.
All four South Asian cricket teams are currently looking for a new coach after the tournament in the Caribbean, with India having been snubbed by South Africa's Graham Ford and England's John Emburey. Sri Lanka bade farewell to their Australian coach Tom Moody on a high note after finishing runners-up to Australia at the Word Cup, while Bangladesh said goodbye to Whatmore. Meanwhile Pakistani batting legend Javed Miandad, who had three spells as coach ending in 2004, was also critical of the selection process.
"If computer know-how is all that matters, then (Microsoft chairman) Bill Gates should have been the best cricket coach in the world," Miandad said.
"I am grateful that they did make contact but at this point in time I have decided to coach private schools in Australia and am not inclined to take an international assignment," said Rixon, who has also been linked to Sri Lanka.
Whatmore was not immediately available for comment. PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf mentioned both Whatmore and Rixon earlier this week when asked on television about the criteria for Pakistan's next coach. Ashraf said he was still certain a suitable coach would be found.
"We will shortlist three to four candidates on Saturday and I hope that anyone who might have fears will review his decision," Ashraf told reporters in Islamabad late Wednesday.
Rixon had previously linked his decision about whether to apply for the Pakistan job to the findings in the Woolmer's case.
"I'm finding it extremely hard to get over the fact Woolmer is no longer with us, to be honest. I'd never say never (to going for Pakistan) but I'll be interested in the result of the inquiry," Rixon said last month.
Besides Rixon and Whatmore, Pakistan also targeted Englishmen Tim Boon and Martyn Moxon for the job. Ashraf on Wednesday defended his determination to hire a foreigner, saying that players like being coached someone from outside the country.
"We are looking for a young coach with computer knowledge. There is dissent between players and a local coach and a foreigner does not get involved in politics," Ashraf said.
Intikhab Alam, a former Pakistan captain and coach of the team which won the World Cup in 1992, disagreed.
"Politics and infighting are due to weak management," Intikhab said. "Look at what Woolmer did to Pakistan cricket and (Greg) Chappell did to Indian cricket. Total mess."
Chappell quit the India job after Pakistan's arch rivals also flopped at the World Cup, a decision his elder brother Ian said was prompted by Woolmer's death.
All four South Asian cricket teams are currently looking for a new coach after the tournament in the Caribbean, with India having been snubbed by South Africa's Graham Ford and England's John Emburey. Sri Lanka bade farewell to their Australian coach Tom Moody on a high note after finishing runners-up to Australia at the Word Cup, while Bangladesh said goodbye to Whatmore. Meanwhile Pakistani batting legend Javed Miandad, who had three spells as coach ending in 2004, was also critical of the selection process.
"If computer know-how is all that matters, then (Microsoft chairman) Bill Gates should have been the best cricket coach in the world," Miandad said.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
End of the Road for Dave Whatmore
Just a few days ago everything was going good for Dave Whatmore. While on one hand Pakistan Cricket Board was actively pursuing him as a replacement for Bob Woolmer on the other he was pursuing highly coveted and a much more lucrative Indian coach's position. And suddenly in a matter of days, it all came crushing down. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI, on Monday surprisingly ruled him out of contention for the India job during the specially-constituted seven-member meeting.
Former South African coach Graham Ford and former English spinner John Embury are believed to be the new choices for the coveted position. Former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga also seems to be in the fray and has the backing of panel-member Sunil Gavaskar, according to a source.
Just about a few days back the dice was loaded in Dav Whatmore's favor, who has had an enviable record as a coach, as the India's new cricket coach. And suddenly there is this U-turn by the richest cricket board, who has the habit of surprising everyone with its acts.
BCCI began talks with Whatmore during the first Test between India and Bangladesh, even before his tenure was over with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. That prompted Whatmore to reject PCB's offer even before the negotiations began. Sources close to the Australian said that he declined the offer on the pretext that Pakistan is an indisciplined side. While it was also obvious that he wanted the India job much more than Pakistan job because of certain reasons not least of which was the pay package. Whatmore, during the 2007 World Cup, had already expressed a desire to coach India. He was more than keen to replace Greg Chappell.
Whatmore's tenure with BCB has come to an end. And then on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board too dismissed speculation that they were still awaiting an association with Dav Whatmore, while BCCI has categorically said that the Australian is out of contention which means that his bid to earn more too comes to an end.
Although there are still speculations that PCB might make a last ditch effort to get him to accept their offer, PCB has showed no signs of wanting him. With all these options closed for Dav, what more is left is a question that he will ask for himself in the coming days and months. At the same time if PCB makes a deal with Whatmore, it will leave Pakistani cricket fans bemused and they will sure question Whatmore's integrity and commitment because he had already rejected this job for a better position in the first place. We are waiting to see what unfolds in the coming few weeks.
Former South African coach Graham Ford and former English spinner John Embury are believed to be the new choices for the coveted position. Former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga also seems to be in the fray and has the backing of panel-member Sunil Gavaskar, according to a source.
Just about a few days back the dice was loaded in Dav Whatmore's favor, who has had an enviable record as a coach, as the India's new cricket coach. And suddenly there is this U-turn by the richest cricket board, who has the habit of surprising everyone with its acts.
BCCI began talks with Whatmore during the first Test between India and Bangladesh, even before his tenure was over with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. That prompted Whatmore to reject PCB's offer even before the negotiations began. Sources close to the Australian said that he declined the offer on the pretext that Pakistan is an indisciplined side. While it was also obvious that he wanted the India job much more than Pakistan job because of certain reasons not least of which was the pay package. Whatmore, during the 2007 World Cup, had already expressed a desire to coach India. He was more than keen to replace Greg Chappell.
Whatmore's tenure with BCB has come to an end. And then on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board too dismissed speculation that they were still awaiting an association with Dav Whatmore, while BCCI has categorically said that the Australian is out of contention which means that his bid to earn more too comes to an end.
Although there are still speculations that PCB might make a last ditch effort to get him to accept their offer, PCB has showed no signs of wanting him. With all these options closed for Dav, what more is left is a question that he will ask for himself in the coming days and months. At the same time if PCB makes a deal with Whatmore, it will leave Pakistani cricket fans bemused and they will sure question Whatmore's integrity and commitment because he had already rejected this job for a better position in the first place. We are waiting to see what unfolds in the coming few weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
