Aqib, who has been involved in coaching at various levels in Pakistan for the last 11 years, was also part of the 1992 World Cup winning squad, confirmed his new appointment, adding that the move was not for any financial reasons but for ‘personal reasons as well as for the family’.
The former fast-bowler, whose appointment as the team’s bowling coach on a series-by-series basis surprised many given the positive influence he has had on the players, rued the lack of progress Pakistan cricket has had compared to its competitors in the last decade.
“We haven’t really progressed from the wonderful time we had in the 1990s,” Aqib told The Express Tribune. “There were a lot of changes taking place then, there was a lot of development but it’s a pity that we haven’t been able to match the development witnessed in Australia, England and even India. They’ve invested heavily in the grass-root levels - schools, academies, regions - but for us, we’re still asking former players what to do.”
Just copy if you can’t invent
Aqib, as a parting advice, urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to copy the model implemented by other member boards as a starting block, ruing the poor domestic structure including an unsatisfactory school and academy system.
“We can’t wait for miracles to happen. We can’t wait for another Mohammad Amir or Mohammad Asif type bowler [in terms of their show on the field] to just emerge out of nowhere. It might not happen. Even Bangladesh has leapfrogged us. This is not the time for discussions, it’s the time for action.”
‘I needed a change’
Meanwhile, denying that money was the main motive behind his move to the UAE, Aqib expressed satisfaction with his efforts in Pakistan at various levels, and confirmed that it was the ‘need for a change’ that led him to take up the offer.
“I’ll be going to the UAE on Monday and then moving there by the end of March. It’s been 11 years since I started work with Pakistan. It took me a long time to achieve what I have and I’m very satisfied with the efforts. I played a part in the 1992 World Cup win, the 2009 World Twenty20 win, the under-19 World Cup win as well as the recent England whitewash.
“Now, it’s time for a change. I want to move away from here for me and for my family. I have nothing against the PCB or the Pakistan team and it’s a personal decision.”
Following the appointment of Dav Whatmore (head coach) and Julien Fountain (fielding coach), the PCB has stopped short of naming Aqib’s replacement but has hired the services of Sarfraz Nawaz as the bowling coach for the NCA.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.
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best bowling coaches to choose from are: walsh, ambrose, sarfraz nawaz, akram, pollock, lawson, bishop,
It's an irony that a person who remained associated with the development and progress of Pakistan cricket at the highest level is not ready to accept his responsibility for not changing the system, he is complaining after leaving Pakistan Cricket Board to join cricket board in UAE.This has become a fashion in Pakistan that when you are around you don't find faults in the system but when you leave all of a sudden everything looks wrong to you. Aqib ruined many a cricketers who were referred to him while he was the head coach of National Cricket Academy. He patronized mediocres like Mohsin Kamal, Ali Zia, Shahid Aslam who spoiled national talent. A Cricket Australia qualified coach Mohsin Sheikh was given a job at the NCA but the junta led by Aqib didn't tolerate him and managed his sacking. Mohsin went to Australia where Shane Warne picked him as assistant coach of the Rajistan Royals in the India Premier League. Such a person shouldn't be given importance.
Aqib Javed has rendered yeoman service to Pakistan cricket.He deserves the commendation of the Pakistan supporters for his contribution to Pakistan cricket.During his tenure as the bowling coach two of the star fast bowlers emerged to bolster the strength of Pakistan team.Therefore it is sad to learn about Aqib's departure.Nevertheless,the appointment of Sarfaraz Nawaz to succeed Aqib is a redeeming feature.Sarfaraz Nawaz too has lot to offer to Pakistan cricket.He was the innovator of reverse swing along with Imran Khan.
shahid i agree with you we need to work on the young players from school, clubs and others and groom them towards the international level, people ahmed shazad should have been groomed after the world cup. He should be in our t20 and odi team we missing an opener. I hope new coach can solve our problems
i never say india doesnt have talent. i said apart from a few. kohli has talent. he came from u19 team who won the world cup.but their school cricket is nothing to speak about.
@ ahmed iqbal india has plenty of talent! see Virat Kohlis innings and u will know. He is right, there is no proper sytem for promoting school students to play cricket. No push ! PCB needs to dive deep into the roots and fish out new players, then groom them! Think of Lionel Messi, the soccer player, when he showed talent, he was groomed for years by barcelona before he appeared at the international level. There are amazingly talented cricketers in almost every school, but they loose interest after school because there is no incentive for them to continue. Only a handfull continue playing at different levels after school.
india has only progressed coz they got money and BCCI influences the ICC. not much talent apart from one two here and there