Moin Khan believes that local coaches can interact better with players compared to foreign ones. PHOTO: AFP
In what appears to be an untimely statement, Pakistan manager Moin Khan gave thumbs down to a foreign coach for national team minutes before he boarded the flight from Lahore to Dubai with Dav Whatmore. The latter is a former Australia Test cricketer part of the squad that is set to take on Sri Lanka for three Tests, five One-Day-Internationals and two Twenty20 series.
“I’ve always favoured a local coach,” the former captain told reporters on Thursday upon the Twenty20 team’s departure for the UAE.
“I said this even when I was not associated with the team as manager. Players can have a good understanding with a local coach and this can be useful in bringing improvement.”
“We should utilise services of our former cricketers for the task,” said Moin, before expressing his availability for the position. “I am available to serve my country in any capacity.”
It is already established that the home series against Sri Lanka will be the last series for Whatmore as the head coach, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made it clear that the Australian will continue to work in the same capacity throughout the assignment.
‘Batting to show improvement’
Moin hoped for a better show from the batsmen against Sri Lanka.
“We have flaws in batting that need improvement,” he said. “But the batsmen showed improvement in the department on our recent tour of South Africa. The induction of new players helped a lot in this regard. I am now hoping for further progress when we face Sri Lanka.”
The manager added that the selection of the promising Sharjeel Khan was made to bring improvement in the opening. He said the team was departing with a good plan targeting to beat Sri Lanka in all formats.
“We won a good series against South Africa and the moral is high.”
‘Statement ill-timed’
A former Test cricketer has described Moin’s statement as ‘inappropriate and ill-timed’.
“A manager shouldn’t give such a statement for a coach,” the former player told The Express Tribune. “Moin and Whatmore are an integral part of the team management and should focus on the task at hand. The statement appears to be in violation of the code of conduct and the PCB should take notice of it.”
Bilawal confronted with visa issue
As the Pakistan squad reached Dubai, youngster Bilawal Bhatti was denied entry due to a visa issue.
According to the PCB, the young fast-bowler ‘inadvertently’ had used his UAE visa to enter Dubai on his way back to Pakistan from South Africa and failed to report the act to the board. As a result, the authorities refused to give him entry to the country.
“The PCB has made arrangements for Bilawal to stay at a hotel inside the airport and he has applied for a new visa,” said a board statement.
“The PCB is hopeful that the matter will be resolved within the next 24 hours.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2013.
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If we want cricket back to Pakistan, we must, I repeat must hire a FOREIGN COACH. How good Moin or Shoaib could be as a cricketer, but they will never be able to convince other teams offcials to visit Pakistan. You need third party, a foreigner who speaks on our behalf and get cricket back to Pakistan. It has lot to do with PR. Please don't get carried away with Moin, the street cricketer of Karachi who is always looking ways to make money.
Moin Khan should be offered an "Assistant Coach (fielding)" position, Shoaib Akhtar "Assistant Coach (bowling)" and Dav Whatmore should continue as Head Coach. While CEO PCB position should be restored and given to a foreigner ideally Naseer Hussain or Ricky Pointing with the sole task of bringing International cricket back to Pakistan.