Lateef Jafri: Will Mohsin Khan be able to deliver the goods? (1 Jun 1998)

1 June 1998

Will Mohsin Khan be able to deliver the goods?

By Lateef Jafri

Cricket enthusiasts had quite a surprise when the board assigned Mohsin Hasan Khan the job of conducting the training of about three dozen players, most of them in the category of senior stars, having represented the country both in the Test matches and one-dayers. His official designation will be camp commandant.

As a batsman with pleasing strokes from January 1978 against England to the Test series against the West Indies in late 1986 Mohsin played a stellar role in Pakistan's cricket. He was also a crisp fielder, alert at any position.

Since for the last 12 years he had withdrawn himself from the national cricketing scene one thought that he would prefer not to accept such onerous responsibility as camp commandant. But he says he was observing the ups and downs in the country's cricket fortunes and studying the forms and performances of the players. Apparently there was no need for the board to invite quite a large cluster of cricketers for such serious physical workouts during an off-season when the two insignificant tournaments in Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi have almost been struck out from the programme. But then the game's watchers point to major fitness problems to senior players, particularly on foreign trips. Physical training sessions should be welcome to keep the national cricketers and the stand-byes in top shape. Even if some of them are lethargic or are not in perfect trim they will become more active on the field after the training schedule is over in one-and a half month. Several key players like Aamir Sohail and Inzamamul Haq to name only two listed among camp invitees had at various stages found the going in competitive cricket quite hard. Their unfitness which upset the balance of the squad, even though the breach was filled by replacements. An exposure to training would also trace out the physical infirmities of the invitees, which means that their illness and injury would go through the necessary treatment earlier than during the duels at home or aboard.

It is a ticklish question if Mohsin Khan will be successful in the job given to him. No doubt he was a delightful stroke-maker and perhaps none could hit the ball with such abandon and success all round the wicket as this tall and elegant-looking opener. But there was also in him a casual approach towards the game. And that is why many critics doubt if he will be able to deliver the goods.

Mohsin and the cricket board have yet to strike a deal on the former's appointment and the emoluments to be given to him. That will give formality to the offer and assignment. Perhaps the designation of commandant was an easier process for a later nomination as cricket manager, which requires the endorsement of the executive council, yet to meet for sometime. Though Mohsin Khan has given his priorities for a disciplined schedule at the camp the PCB Chief Executive wants to see the results of his efforts. Then only the former Test opener can get an offer of more responsible, more testing assignment at home or away on tours.

Whatever Haroon Rashid, who has just ended his contract with the PCB might think of himself, cricket circles are of the opinion that he was far from a successful coach or cricket manager. The needed guidance was hardly provided to the playing lot. The squad should have performed as a unit, but this was not so. If at all there were weaknesses in some players the coach should have seen to it that they are overcome. The humiliation to the touring set in the South African triangular was agonising as was the upset in the last Test and the tri-nation final in the golden jubilee competition in Lahore. Pakistan capitulated to South Africa in the Faisalabad Test while needing only a tiny 140. The defeat came as a nine-day wonder. The record of Haroon could not have earned him a contract renewal. It is possible he may have received prior signals from the board as he hurriedly submitted his resignation as a board appointee for he was raised to the senior managership from the junior team - or perhaps he was holding a dual charge, besides being a selector. Certainly the task was a heavy burden on a single person. No doubt it was an honour for a veteran cricketer but whatever may be the capacity of a former Test player it was an enormous workload to be carried out when senior and key players were getting injuries and were not performing at the optimal level, apart from the brisk speed shown in bowling by the Ws and the energy exhibited by some of the younger breed. It is strange that Haroon found some senior players uncooperative towards him. Actually he should have seen that they put their best foot forward in the matches abroad and in the country. Otherwise, what is the function of a coach or cricket manager?

Several veteran cricketers have put forward the claims of former Test captain, Javed Miandad, for appointment on a long-term basis as a cricket manager. They have taken the return from wilderness of Mohsin Khan with a pinch of salt. Javed was a world class batsman, both in Test cricket and the limited-overs game. He was exceptionally competent, tough, rugged with audacity to cut to size any sort of attack. His record in international cricket is highly imposing. Why should he go and waste his time in coaching the princes of Brunei, where there is no serious cricket? Having retired after the 1996 World Cup Miandad knows how to handle the present bunch of players. Besides, as a person with highly-organised skill Javed can hone the technique of the players as well as eliminate their drawbacks.

Miandad has several times expressed his desire to serve the country's cricket. It was time that one of the all-time great cricketers was booked by the board for the right job. The vacancy has been created by the voluntary resignation of Haroon Rashid.

Once Miandad has been extended the offer and the Council has given the needed approval his opinion may also be sought on the right formation to train guns on Australia and India at home or the cricket-playing nations in Dhaka and during the World Cup, due next season in England on rota basis. Cricket critics think that his coaching may prove beneficial to the country as well as the players. He will be as serious in trying to get the best out of the chosen lot as he was as a batsman of the highest pedigree.

The PCB will not be making a U-turn after announcing a provisional appointment but it will be the right decision in view of the hard and stiff challenge the country faces in the World Cup and the heavy engagements during this year and the following one.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)