Pakistani coach can produce better results than a foreigner:Miandad

Karachi, July 10 (UNI) Local coaches will produce far better results for the Pakistan cricket team than the shortlisted foreign nationals, asserts former Pakistan coach Javed Miandad.

Speaking to mediapersons, Miandad said, ''Pakistan's biggest achievement, winning the 1992 World Cup, was due to the efforts of players and local coach (Intikhab Alam).'' ''Foreign coaches have not done any good to the Pakistan team in the past. And after looking at the past performances, one could easily say that they are not better than local coaches,'' he added.

Miandad said the three Australians, Dav Whatmore, Jeff Lawson and Richard Done who have been shortlisted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be the next coach of the national team, are not as experienced as the former national maestros.

Giving an example of his own stint as the coach of Pakistan team, he claimed that he delivered better results than any body else but due to poor policies of the PCB he stepped down.

He also said the players are not required to be consulted in the matter such as selection of a coach. ''There is no question of player power in the team. The players have no right to say anything on appointment of coach or other issues.'' He added the players should accept Salman Butt, as the vice captain unconditionally. ''Players should focus on their performances and not on such issues.'' ''PCB should have strong policy regarding player power. But due to their incompetence they (PCB) have to listen to the players also,'' adding the handling of the doping case by the Board, not only tarnished the image of the respective players but also made the people of Pakistan ashamed.

''I must say that the PCB seemed really stupid on the issue.

First they held both the bowlers (Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif) responsible and called them back from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.

Then they themselves formed the tribunal to look on the issue which also held them responsible. But afterwards they made another committee which proved that both the bowlers are innocent,'' he lamented.

About Twenty20 form of cricket Miandad was of the opinion that the format is suitable for teams like Australia, South Africa, England etc because they need money but not for teams from the subcontinent. It will only destroy cricket and will do no good to Pakistan cricketers.

UNI