Tour in review: Mohsin wonders what went wrong
Stunned interim coach says drop in team’s performance beyond him.
KARACHI:
Mohsin Khan, Pakistan’s outgoing interim coach, was stunned by the remarkable turnaround in the team’s performance following the stunning Test-series whitewash — and was at a loss to explain what went wrong in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20s.
Pakistan whitewashed England 3-0 in the longest format of the game before succumbing 4-0 in the ODI series and 2-1 in the Twenty20 form that marked the tour’s end. The former opener, who served as coach for his third series in a row, found his team a different side altogether in the limited-overs format.
“I’m still stunned by our losses in the limited-overs series,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “It’s beyond my understanding as to what went wrong. The same players performed outstandingly in the Test series as well as the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the end, it’s really disappointing to see the team end the tour so badly after a brilliant start.”
It was a ‘dream’ stint: Mohsin
However, Mohsin, whose tenure ended after the tour of the UAE, did show his satisfaction with his and the team’s show under him.
“I am not disappointed at all on being removed. In fact, I am completely satisfied with my performance as the coach. We defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and that wasn’t easy. The historical whitewash against England was a dream come true and I feel lucky to be the part of team that inficted such heavy losses on the world’s best Test side.”
The former opener said he was ready to serve the country in any capacity but with ‘dignity and honour’.
‘The team can bounce back’
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said his team has the ability to bounce back strongly from the defeats against England.
“It’s the same team which won all through last year,” Misbah told reporters in Lahore. “It was a bad series but I feel that we can regain the winning momentum by overcoming our weaknesses, especially in our batting.”
The captain reiterated that there was no need of making abrupt changes in the team.
“The debate surprises me. There are talks of changes in captaincy after just one bad series. There’s no need of an overhaul. I don’t think there are any issues with me captaining the side in all three formats.”
Separate teams to be formed with consensus: Ashraf
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf said the board was not in a hurry to make sweeping changes in the team.
“We will be discussing the agenda with the new coach and our former cricketers,” said Ashraf. “Any decision in this regard will be in the best interest of the team. Having separate teams for all formats is a good idea and we want it in the future like England and Australia.”
Whatmore expected today
Dav Whatmore, chosen by the board as the team’s new head coach, is expected to arrive in Lahore today.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.
Mohsin Khan, Pakistan’s outgoing interim coach, was stunned by the remarkable turnaround in the team’s performance following the stunning Test-series whitewash — and was at a loss to explain what went wrong in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20s.
Pakistan whitewashed England 3-0 in the longest format of the game before succumbing 4-0 in the ODI series and 2-1 in the Twenty20 form that marked the tour’s end. The former opener, who served as coach for his third series in a row, found his team a different side altogether in the limited-overs format.
“I’m still stunned by our losses in the limited-overs series,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “It’s beyond my understanding as to what went wrong. The same players performed outstandingly in the Test series as well as the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the end, it’s really disappointing to see the team end the tour so badly after a brilliant start.”
It was a ‘dream’ stint: Mohsin
However, Mohsin, whose tenure ended after the tour of the UAE, did show his satisfaction with his and the team’s show under him.
“I am not disappointed at all on being removed. In fact, I am completely satisfied with my performance as the coach. We defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and that wasn’t easy. The historical whitewash against England was a dream come true and I feel lucky to be the part of team that inficted such heavy losses on the world’s best Test side.”
The former opener said he was ready to serve the country in any capacity but with ‘dignity and honour’.
‘The team can bounce back’
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said his team has the ability to bounce back strongly from the defeats against England.
“It’s the same team which won all through last year,” Misbah told reporters in Lahore. “It was a bad series but I feel that we can regain the winning momentum by overcoming our weaknesses, especially in our batting.”
The captain reiterated that there was no need of making abrupt changes in the team.
“The debate surprises me. There are talks of changes in captaincy after just one bad series. There’s no need of an overhaul. I don’t think there are any issues with me captaining the side in all three formats.”
Separate teams to be formed with consensus: Ashraf
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf said the board was not in a hurry to make sweeping changes in the team.
“We will be discussing the agenda with the new coach and our former cricketers,” said Ashraf. “Any decision in this regard will be in the best interest of the team. Having separate teams for all formats is a good idea and we want it in the future like England and Australia.”
Whatmore expected today
Dav Whatmore, chosen by the board as the team’s new head coach, is expected to arrive in Lahore today.
According to a PCB official, the former Australian cricketer will sign a two-year contract with Asia Cup being his first assignment with the Pakistan team. Julien Fountain is also expected to join as the fielding coach before the tournament, replacing Ijaz Ahmed. The PCB has given the responsibility of mentoring the fast-bowlers to Sarfraz Nawaz ahead of the Asia Cup with Aqib Javed quitting as bowling coach.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.