Too late to hold pep-talk for WC squad, says Miandad

The Pakistan Cricket Board's move to invite former greats for delivering pep-talk to the World Cup-bound players has not found favour from Javed Miandad, who thinks it's too late to organise such meetings.

A PCB official confirmed that Chairman Naseem Ashraf had contacted greats like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram to discuss preparations for the World Cup.

Miandad confirmed that Ashraf had called him. "I told him I am very busy and I will see if I can take time out to meet with the Pakistani players," said Miandad, who appeared in six World Cup tournaments including the one in 1992 when Pakistan emerged champions.

But he made it clear that he was not keen to take up the PCB offer at present when Pakistan are moving from one crisis to another and their World Cup campaign appears to be in a bad shape.

"This is not the right time to do anything. I don't think any general pep-talk will make any difference. You can only help with particular problems in the team. They should tell me what they are inviting me for," Miandad said. "This is not the right time to invite us. If they wanted advice from us they should have invited former greats well before time."

"If players have any problems anyone is welcome to call me and seek advice," said Miandad.