Miandad threatens to quit

Javed Miandad with Inzamam-ul-Haq: at least Inzamam has been secured of his future © AFP Enlarge

Javed Miandad, Pakistan's coach, has threatened to quit his post if the team management is fiddled around with too much. Talking to the Press Trust of India, Miandad said: "I am sure that this team has the potential to bounce back, and I can guide this team to improve, but I will quit if there are major shake-ups in the team management."

Miandad, shaken and stirred after his team's defeat to India in both the Test and one-day series, has been roundly criticised in Pakistan for his alleged unprofessional approach as a coach, and the indiscipline of his bowlers and fielders. "To appoint a bowling coach or a fielding coach is the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision," he said, "but major changes are not advisable ... We need time to mould this team."

Miandad's contract as Pakistan's coach expires at the end of this month. This is his third stint at the job, the previous two having ended in controversy: the first time around, he quit after disgareements with his senior players, 15 days before the 1999 World Cup; the second time, he was sacked.

Whether Miandad stays or goes is hard to forecast, but changes certainly are likely to sweep through Pakistan cricket, and the board's chairman, Shaharyar Khan, has indicated as much.

However, Khan confirmed that Inzamam-ul-Haq would continue as captain. "We appointed him for 2004 to introduce some consistency and continuity in the team," Khan said. "It was also to give Inzamam some confidence. We will stick by that policy."

He added, "There will be some changes, but these would be done after having meetings with the management and the players and selectors. We are not going to jump the gun."