KARACHI:
Pakistan’s former player and coach Mohsin Hasan Khan expressed his resentment over the process of appointing Waqar Younis as the Pakistan team’s head coach on a two-year contract.
The 59-year-old Mohsin, who had also applied for the same position, echoed his sentiments in a press conference at the Karachi Club Annexe.
“If the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had planned to appoint Waqar, then they shouldn’t have advertised for the position in the first place,” said Mohsin.
“I wouldn’t have had any reservations against the board’s decision had they handpicked Waqar as the best candidate which would’ve made things clearer.
“The process of shortlisting candidates and then to have their interviews was not followed here. It’s like fooling people just like back in Zaka Ashraf’s tenure, when I was removed in the name of bringing a qualified coach.”
Mohsin has represented Pakistan in 48 Tests, scoring 2709 runs at an average of 37.10. He also appeared in 75 ODIs, managing 1877 runs at an average of 26.81.
Apart from playing for Pakistan, he has served the country’s cricket in the capacity of junior selector, chief selector and head coach of the national team, also having looked after the Pakistan U19 and A teams in his versatile career.
During his coaching tenure, Pakistan experienced resounding success against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while the nation also went onto whitewash the then number one Test side, England, with a 3-0 victory.
Despite having worked with Waqar previously in the PCB, the former opener stressed that the PCB should not include tainted players who were reported in the Justice Malik Qayyum report — which had named Waqar among others in corruption cases.
He added that PCB officials back in late the 1990s should have acted upon the Justice Qayyum findings which would have gone a long way in eradicating corruption in Pakistan cricket. In his view, setting a strong example at that point would not have allowed the likes of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif to commit similar sins.
Mohsin disappointed with PCB chairman
Mohsin indicated that he may go to the court to seek justice against the process of Waqar’s appointment.
“It’s not only about me, it’s about all applicants and if the need arises, I’ll go to the court as well,” he said.
“I respect PCB Chairman Najam Sethi as he is a top-class journalist and there was a feeling that Pakistan cricket would improve under him; however, I’ve been disappointed so far,” he stated, adding that he will not work under a junior cricketer.
Interviewing candidates is not compulsory: PCB official
A PCB official, while commenting on the subject, explained that it is not compulsory to call shortlisted candidates for an interview because if the PCB feels that a single candidate is good enough, then the board has the right to appoint him directly.
“If the board feels that someone is better than the other competitors, it has the right to appoint him directly,” said the official.
Mohsin accused PCB of acquiring services of "tainted players". Yet he worked happily with Waqar not so long ago.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 8, 2014
Mohsin Khan is a case of sour grapes because his sifarish for job was not entertained.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 8, 2014
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (14)
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"PCB officials back in late the 1990s should have acted upon the Justice Qayyum findings which would have gone a long way in eradicating corruption in Pakistan cricket"
Even if you don't agree with all of Mohsin's other statements, you have to agree with this one.
PCB has every right to appoint a cricket coach but the way Waqar is appointed without giving due consideration to other applicants lacks credibility.
mohsin has a point. ..If PCB has decided to appoint coach through process of adverts and interviewing them.process was not followed.most of the commentators missed the point raised by mohsin.
As much as I like Waqar for the post. It is not just Mohsin who complained but some other not so notable applicant also complained. Due process of law should be followed.
He has a point, Waqar applied for position as coach a few years back for Australia but they said he was tainted by corruption in the past so they rejected him. He was keen to coach Australia but they said no due to that fact.
Stop Press. Neither Dav Whatmore, Moin Khan or Waqar Younis or anyone else is qualified to be a coach. The only coach who is qualified enough and is the best candidate is Mohsin Khan. Why? Because Mohsin Khan says so it must be true. Clearly Mohsin was a victim of to many bouncers to the helmet during his playing days as he is as delusional as you can get. Best decision PCB has ever made is to appoint Waqar Younis and not to hire Mohsin Khan for any post in PCB.
And what weight this nobody has amongst credible cricketing circles?You were a nobody in Bollywood and a nobody in field of a cricket as well.So excuse us these sermons and do something that you are good at,cricket clearly isn't it incase you are wondering.I dont know who in their right mind would appoint Mohsin khan as a coach,the man who has been away from operational cricket for god knows how long now.Let it go and have some self respect
What has Mohsin Khan become? At one time he was a decent cricketer, then he went and became a failed actor in India, then a failed actor in Pakistan, then he was made a chief selector, and then the interim coach, he temporarily coached a team that has already been built by Waqar and Misbah, Pakistan won against England, and Mohsin seemed to think we won become of only him and him alone. He forgot he was only an interim arrangement, but I guess he got used to the money and perks. Since then, he seems to think that the coach job is his birth right! It is ridiculous to see how this man keeps trying to get media attention. Shame on Mohsin Khan. I hope he realizes how silly he looks and keeps quiet from now on. Move on, there is plenty more in life to do and more ways to make money than trying desperately to get hired by the PCB.
Sour grapes. "I want the job or I will bad mouth you" perhaps blacklist all these self described selectors and coaches for good.
Mohsin Khan has made himself the laughing stock of the world. But wait, wasnt he already the laughing stock of the world? Ofcourse he was. This guy is so desperate for a PCB job, it's embarrassing to see.
If you are genuine and honest, which I think you are, then may Allah make your mission easier and give you victory. Ameen.
This drama needs to end. Mohsin Khan is sounding like a little child who did not get the toy he wanted. Waqar was the right choice and he is the coach. Full stop. All the other people who applied are quiet and are dignified except for Mohsin Khan who keeps whining to the press. This should be a warning to the PCB to never appoint people like Mohsin Khan to the board as it is showing the character of the man himself.
The board official is spot on. Mohsin Khan does not have a God given right to be appointed coach, not does he have a right to be interviewed if the committee or the PCB was not interested in interviewing him. People like Mohsin Khan, think they are entitled to being given posts and they will bash anything and everything to try to make their case. Thank God, the PCB did not appoint Mohsin Khan. He thinks he is the best coach in the world, which is probably why he has no offers to coach anywhere else, and as a result keeps running to the PCB for a job each time their is an opening.