Cricket: Mohsin doesn’t need coaching certificates, says Latif

Former captain gives thumbs-up to interim coach.

KARACHI:

For Rashid Latif, there is no better choice as national team coach than Mohsin Khan.

The former wicket-keeper has once again backed Mohsin, appointed till the end of the England series, to get an extension to his tenure with series-wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England in the bag. Despite achieving a historic whitewash against the top-ranked Test side, Mohsin is not the favourite for the position and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on appointing a ‘qualified’ coach with Dav Whatmore sitting top of the list.

The PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf has set sights on the next World Cup and stressed on the need for an individual who can guide the team for a longer time. However, Latif said the former opener has done more than enough to get the nod.

“I believe the coach should be a Pakistani,” the former wicket-keeper told reporters at the National Stadium. “Mohsin should continue as coach. Under him, Pakistan have achieved what they never did in their Test history.”

He said victories against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh besides a whitewash against England voids the need of qualifications.

“A former cricketer of Mohsin’s stature doesn’t require qualification. He was a classy player and had a huge following. He’s also proved his worth by guiding the team to success that no previous coach did. He doesn’t need certificates because he has shown his worth practically. Certificates don’t matter much  even I have one.”

Latif said the whitewash has done wonders for Pakistan’s image and silenced doubters who wrote off the team after the spot-fixing scandal.

Offers help in reviving international cricket

The former captain also offered his help to the PCB in its bid to revive international cricket.

Latif felt that the PCB should host a World XI before the proposed series against Bangladesh.

“The PCB should arrange some matches of World XI that includes representatives from all the Test teams. I can help the PCB in this regard.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2012.