Arjuna Ranatunga to coach Pakistan? (23 April 1998)

Thursday 23, April 1998

Arjuna to coach Pakistan?

Elmo Rodirgopulle reporting from Cape Town, South Africa

'Captain cool' master tactician and outstanding batsman Arjuna Ranatunga will be lost to Sri Lanka cricket if he decides to accept a coaching assignment in Pakistan.

Majid Khan, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, who is an ardent admirer of Ranatunga and what he has done for the improvement of the game in Sri Lanka had sounded Ranatrunga on taking over as the coach of the Pakistan national team.

They have still not got down to taking terms of the contract. But that will be on once Ranatunga decides to quit the game.

Speaking to this writer Ranatunga said his ambition is to first successfully defend the World Cup won in Lahore, Pakistan. Ranatunga has been toying with the idea of calling it a day after the next world cup. He will contemplate his future at that time.

If Ranatunga decides to accept Khan's offer it will be a great loss to Sri Lanka cricket. One hopes that it won't happen.

'The game has brought me great honour and tremendous satisfaction. It is my duty to give back to the game what I got out of it. I appreciate and thank Majid Khan for making me the offer to coach Pakistan. Khan is confident that I am the man to put Pakistan's individual brilliance together. I will make a decision once I decide to quit', said Ranatunga relaxing in his hotel room, disappointed that his team failed to deliver the goods on the historic tour of South Africa.

Ranatunga has been Sri Lanka's most successful captain. He led Sri Lanka to its first historic test win abroad beating New Zealand in NZ and then his crowning moment was when he performed a cricketing miracle by leading his team to victory in the World Cup and bringing world fame not only to the game but to the country as well.

Dr. Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board of SA, described that achievement as one of the wonders of modern day cricket. We hope that Ranatunga will not be lost to Sri Lanka cricket.

Chaminda Vaas to be operated on

Chaminda Vaas, Ranatunga's hit man will finally be operated on anytime this week. He has been performing gamely with a badly damaged right ankle and The Management here has finally decided to let Vaas have the operation done.

"Once the operation is performed according to the surgeon Dr. Ferreira, Vaas will have to be out of the game for at least four months", said cricket manager Duleep Mendis.

That means that Vaas will be out of the tour of England, due to begin in a couple of months where Sri Lanka will play a one off test, a few county games and then meet England and South Africa once in a triangular series.

Vaas' absence will provide the opportunity for other fast men knocking on the door to prove themselves.

Vaas' operation will be performed by an expert in this type of medicine Dr. Ferreira who has performed similar operations successfully on Donald, Pollock and Elworth.

According to the surgeon this type of ankle damage is common in fast bowlers.

Aravinda de Silva for Boland

Boland Cricket Club is very keen to sign no Aravinda de Silva to play for them next season. However it all depends on Sri Lanka's cricket schedule. Talks are on and any finality will be reached by the end of this month.

Aravinda in addition to playing is keen to coach the youngsters and Boland are aware that Aravinda is the man to steer their destinies and make them a trophy winning team.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)