Batting and bowling expert should be made Pak coach: Miandad

Karachi, Mar.1 : The Director-General of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed Miandad, has described the selection of former fast bowler Waqar Younis as the national team coach as wrong, and believes that only a person who command respect in both departments of the game – batting and bowling -- should be appointed coach.

When asked about coaching offer to Younis, The News quoted Miandad, as saying that this was not in his jurisdiction to talk on this matter.

Miandad has opposed the former pacer’s appointment, citing his involvement in the match fixing scandal.

According to the Daily Times, Miandad said he was surprised that the PCB had not heeded to the Justice Malik Qayyum’s report on match fixing issued 10 years ago and was giving responsibilities to those players who were fined on the basis of the report.

“Everyone knows that Justice Qayyum had recommended to the board to not give positions of responsibility to Waqar, Aaqib Javed, Wasim Akram etc in Pakistan cricket. But this is what is happening,” he said.

“I don’t see the logic behind offering Waqar the coaching position because he was with the team in Australia as bowling and fielding coach and didn’t do anything notable. Plus he has not prior experience of being a full-time coach,” Miandad added.

He also that he was surprised at the plans to have a foreign consultant with the team.

“I have offered my services to the board so why waste money on a foreign consultant?” he asked.