My criticism is unfair: Whatmore

Pakistan head coach unhappy with flack, says he has become a ‘soft target’.

KARACHI:

Despite the incessant rain of criticism and blame directed towards Dav Whatmore after the Harare defeat, he is careful to avoid responding in a similar manner.

However, in an interview with The Express Tribune, Pakistan’s head coach expressed his disapproval about the current state of affairs, implying that he was unhappy with being given less than deserved value as the team’s mentor.

The former Australia cricketer, who came to Pakistan last year with success written all over his coaching CV, has had to contend with bearing the brunt of the criticism following each of the team’s failures ever since he joined.



The recent Test defeat against Zimbabwe multiplied the calls for removal of the prominent coach.

However, Whatmore feels he should not be considered the only candidate for hurling accusations at for the team’s results.

“I am a soft target,” said the head coach. “I know there are different groups here which target me. I feel it’s unfair and unjustified to blame only me.

“But I am satisfied because I know I’m working with dedication.”

Asked if a lot is expected from him to deliver as a seasoned coach with limited authority in decision-making, Whatmore said, “I will not like to comment on that. All I want to say is that there should be proper communication between all the stakeholders.”

He stressed that in modern day cricket, a coach and captain should be given priority in decision-making.

To another query, he said he has no say in team selection.

“I had been conveyed this when I joined. The team selection is purely handled by the selection committee and I just try to bring the best out of the players given to me.”

‘Lack of consistency our problem’

The coach agreed with Pakistan Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain Misbahul Haq’s views that batting woes were the reason for the team’s decline.

“Yes, batting needs improvement. We have very good batsmen but consistency is missing.”

Asked about his responsibility to bring consistency in the team as the head coach, he replied, “Consistency comes from a number of areas and I am doing my part in the best way I can.”

Meanwhile, Whatmore was hopeful about the team’s resurgence in the series against South Africa despite a shocking Test defeat to Zimbabwe.

“This team is capable of defeating top sides,” he said.  Pakistan defeated England when that side was on top of the Test rankings and they can do it again.”

PCB awaits hearing on appeal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continued to wait for hearing on an appeal at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the order that bars caretaker chairman Najam Sethi from using full powers in the board’s functioning.

The appeal includes the request to defer holding fresh elections for PCB chairmanship within 90 days, as was requested by the court.

PCB’s legal counsel Tafazzul Rizvi said the board was yet to be issued the date for the hearing of the appeal.

“We were expecting it on September 23 but it didn’t happen,” Rizvi told The Express Tribune.

“The PCB is now hoping to get the date at the earliest so it can make important appointments.”

Upset with the status of a caretaker chairman, Sethi had said last week that if the appeal was not heard by September 23, he would submit his resignation to the Prime Minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.