It's final; Pakistan to get a Pakistani coach

Players happy with appointment of local coaches for national team.

KARACHI:

The trio of former captains — Intikhab Alam, Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad —shortlisted six candidates for Pakistan’s head, batting and fielding coaches’ posts. Two former players are in the running for each post.

The three former captains are part of the coach committee that also includes Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed; they met in Lahore on Sunday and made recommendations for the three positions.

PCB’s deadline for applications for the coveted slots ended on February 8, with a total of 25 coaches applying for the team management slots.

According to the committee, no foreign candidates are in the fray for any of the three openings, thus ending speculations surrounding Richard Pybus, who was Pakistan’s first foreign coach.

Coaching panel to be announced soon

The newly-appointed chief selector Aamir Sohail recently stressed for a speedy process of selecting coaches who would help him and his selection committee pick a squad to represent the country in the upcoming Asia Cup.

Alam, who has been an integral part of the cricket board over the years, told reporters in Lahore that the recommendations would be given to PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday, soon after his return from Singapore where he attended the International Cricket Council meeting.

“The list will be given to the chairman after which the final decision will be made,” said Alam, who also headed the committee that picked Whatmore.

Meanwhile, Akram vowed to select the best candidates for the national team.

“We will not favour anybody,” he said. “The decision will be based on what is good for our cricket and the squad’s future.

“The candidates have been shortlisted after a detailed meeting in which we thoroughly assessed all applicants.”

The former captain expressed his satisfaction with the fact that no foreign candidates had applied for the posts.

“I believe the coaching staff should be from Pakistan. We have credible former players who can run our cricket. We have had the support of foreign coaches in the past but now it’s time to promote our own.”

National cricketers pleased with local prospects

Several national cricketers have welcomed the endorsement of home coaches for the national team.

“Honestly, we have never had a good foreign coach, barring the late Bob Woolmer,” said a senior cricketer. “The language barrier cannot be ruled out, it remains a problem.”

Another cricketer echoed similar sentiments.

“It is always comfortable for a cricketer to seek help from our own heroes. They are also a source of inspiration.”

The national players refrained from commenting on their choice, saying that they believe PCB would make a choice in the best interests of the team.

Legendary fast-bowler Waqar Younis and charismatic Test opener Mohsin Khan appear to be the leading contenders for the post of the head coach, while former captain Moin Khan who served as team manager recently is also in the running.

Both Younis and Mohsin have had impressive stints as Pakistan’s head coach, with the former fast-bowler being credited with lifting the team from the loss of a winless tour of Australia in 2009-10.

Meanwhile, during Mohsin’s reign for an interim period, the team recorded several victories including a whitewash against the then number one England side in Tests in 2011-12.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.

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