Foreigners not capable of coaching Pakistan: Miandad

KARACHI: Former batting maestro Javed Miandad believes that Australian coaches Dav Whatmore, Jeff Lawson and Richard Done — who have been shortlisted for Pakistan coach job — are not capable of coaching the national team.

Talking to reporters Miandad said:

“Foreign coaches have not done any good to the Pakistan team in the past. And after looking at the past performances, one could easily say that they are not better than local coaches.”

He opined that all three Australians coaches are not as much experienced as former national maestros so they could be given the chance to coach the national team. Citing his own example, Miandad said that in his era of coaching the Pakistan team, he delivered better results than any body else but due to poor policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) he stepped down.

“Pakistan’s biggest achievement, winning the 1992 World Cup, was due to the efforts of players and local coach (Intikhab Alam),”

he said.

Answering to a query he said:

“There is no question of player power in the team. The players have no right to say anything on appointment of coach or other issues. PCB should have strong policy regarding to player power. But due to their incompetence they (PCB) have to listen to the players also.”

The former captain said that Salman Butt after being made the vice-captain should be accepted by the players with open hearts.

“Players should focus on their performances and not on such issues,”

he explained.

About Twenty20 form of cricket Miandad said:

“This format is suitable for other teams like Australia, South Africa, England etc because they need money. But in the subcontinent we have enough money. It will only destroy cricket and will do no good to Pakistan cricketers.”

He opined that national cricketers are not capable of playing long innings and they are weak in fielding so T20 cricket will further destroy them. On the doping issue he said:

“I must say that the PCB seemed really stupid on the issue. First they held both the bowlers (Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif) responsible and called them back from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy. Then they themselves formed the tribunal to look on the issue which also held them responsible. But afterwards they made another committee which proved that both the bowlers are innocent.”

He further said that handling the case in such ridiculous manner not only tarnished the image of many respective personalities but also made the people of Pakistan ashamed.