With another impressive series-win in the bag, Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan, who was first appointed for the series against Sri Lanka, continues to draw support from various quarters with Rashid Latif the latest voice to back his full-time appointment.
Pakistan’s ‘unprecedented show’ under Mohsin, according to Latif, which has seen the team register Test and One-Day International (ODI) series triumphs over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Test series against England, remains a huge plus for Mohsin.
While the triumphs over Bangladesh and a struggling Sri Lanka were not deemed high-profile scalps, the twin wins over England have earned Mohsin and captain Misbahul Haq much accolade, with the coach using these results to influence his appointment.
However, the former opener is not on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) list of candidates for the head coach’s position, with, according to reports, a deal being finalised with Dav Whatmore after his visit to Lahore last month.
“Mohsin is doing a good job,” Latif told reporters in Karachi on the sidelines of former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed’s book launch. “We’ve seen a lot of good results under him. We’ve hardly seen such a successful coaching stint from anyone before.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi also supported Mohsin, albeit through covert articulation.
“The results are in front of us,” said Afridi. “The players don’t have any issues and importantly the team is progressing well under Mohsin. But it’s up to the PCB and who they feel will be good for the team.”
‘We should go all out in final Test’
On the Test series against England, Afridi said Pakistan should seek a whitewash in Dubai. “I’m hoping for a 3-0 win. It’ll be important for the continuity and will give confidence to the team before the limited-overs leg.”
Series triumph through hard work: Rehman
Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman refused to accept that Pakistan’s success over the world number one Test team was a big surprise, saying the team achieved the 2-0 lead through sheer hard work.
Rehman starred in his team’s 72-run win in the second Test, claiming a career-best six for 25 to bundle England for 72 in the second innings. That gave Pakistan an unassailable lead in the series with the last match in Dubai starting from February 3.
“It’s not surprising,” Rehman told AFP. “We won because we worked really hard before the series and in the two Tests.”
However, Rehman admitted England’s capitulation was a bit surprising.
“We had no idea that it would finish in three or four days, but since the team did well and the pitches helped us we won. We’re trying to contain them so that they make mistakes. That was the game-plan. They made mistakes after getting fed up.” (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP)
Rashid Latif
“Mohsin is doing a good job. We have seen a lot of good results under him and we’ve hardly seen such a
successful coaching stint from anyone before in Pakistan’s history.”
Shahid Afridi
“The players do not have any issues and importantly the team is progressing well under Mohsin. But it’s up to the PCB and who they feel will be a good choice for
the team.”
Imran Khan
“Misbah has provided the continuity and has got the team to be behind him... He is calm on the field and gets the work done quietly. However, I am not a big one for coaches.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Lets realize the reality, we won last matches due to our bowling not the batting; our batsmen still struggling against a good bowling attack. Let give them professional and qualified coach.
The Misbah-Mohsin partnership is only for the short term. Mohsin has no training and exprerience as a coach and just because the team is winning doesn't mean that it is all due to him. The team is winning because it has experienced (at least of First-class cricket) and level headed players and a very good captain. Sure that Mohsin is a cool and calm character and has provided stability but Pakistan should look to the future beyond Misbah and Mohsin.
And who says that a foreign coach will not work. Remember Bob Woolmer (RIP) and the success he achieved before his unfortunate demise. Dave Whatmore has similar credentials and track record to Woolmer, taking Sri Lanka to Word Cup win in 1996 and improving Bangladesh cricket. It is his technical and tactical skills that Pakistan needs to improve the youngsters like Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Umer Akmal, Junaid Khan etc. who will be the future of Pak cricket.
The Pakistani team started showing results only when it was purged of the fixers. Pakistan would have won many more tests in Australia and England had those elements not deliberately made mistakes. While not taking any credit away from Mohsin, I would also like to say that "News of the World" has a great hand in Pakistan's resurgence.
I really don't like the headline here, what do you mean "Mohsin saga"? Can't you guys stop sensationalizing things for once?
Moshin Khan should stay as coach
Decision shall be according to the "Vision" not "situation". If PCB is convince that qualified coach will be good for long term then go on it, despite current results. This is professional way.
@Fatah. Silly remarks like that are not going to get home series back. How can youu assure security?
No foreigners in national team... no foreign coach, no foreign trainer, no foreign doctor - only Pakistanis.
No more "Home Series" outside of Pakistan.
Mohsin is already sounding political.... Not a good sign!
The reason we are winning is because our national players are now to afraid to take bribes