Angry Miandad demands meeting with Zia

Javed Miandad, Pakistan's coach, has demanded a meeting with Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia, the chairman of the Pakistan board, to discuss "pressing issues". Miandad has come under fire from Aamer Sohail, the chief selector, and the criticism is reported to have left him seething.

The incident blew up on Thursday when Sohail said that it would not be difficult for Pakistan to beat a weaker South Africa team as long as the players were handled properly. "I think that more concentration and professionalism is required to exploit the abilities and skills of the players," Sohail told reporters.

Minadad took the comment as a personal dig, but waited until the end of the first ODI at Lahore - which Pakistan won by eight runs - before reacting publicly. "If anyone thinks he can do a better job than me as coach he is welcome to come and give it a try," he fumed. "I don't need any advice from anyone. What I have done with the team is visible to everyone. I am committed and trying hard. I think everyone knows what I have delivered since the World Cup.

"I am satisfied with what we have achieved in the last six months," Miandad said. "We have found two or three good players for the future and they are improving. The team is now playing like a proper team."