Miandad's contract as coach extended: Team leaves for Singapore

Karachi: Javed Miandad was given an extension until 2003 World Cup as team coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hours before the team's departure for Singapore to participate in the triangular series starting from Aug 20.

The decision was take on Wednesday during the advisory council meeting of which the former captain is a member.

Miandad was initially given a contract until Pakistan's tour of New Zealand in February next year. But Moin Khan, who was also retained as captain until New Zealand's tour, has not been given any further assurance.

"His contract will be reviewed after March. If the team performs well and he improves his own form, there is no reason why he is not given an extension. But appointing him captain till the World Cup now doesn't make any sense," a spokesman of the PCB said.

He added that Miandad has been given a long term keeping in mind the board's policy of continuity and emphasis on the tournament to be played in South Africa. The spokesman added that the chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and Miandad had a long discussion before reaching a consensus.

Although the general was not available for comments as he had left for Gujranwala, the spokesman admitted that a decision on Miandad's coaching fee was also discussed and finalized.

He said Miandad will get what the senior most players will receive from the board. This arrangement is the same as Miandad had agreed during his last term between September 1998 and April 1999.

"Miandad will receive an equivalent amount as that of Wasim Akram because he is the only player in the highest slab. Same would be the pattern of his payment for the four-month tour between February and July," the spokesman said.

It was also clarified that during off-season, Miandad would not be paid. "He will be considered on duty during the season only, like the players."

Miandad, who left Wednesday evening for Singapore with the team, said he was happy with the extension. But he repeated that whether an extension was given or not, he would have been part of the cricket setup in his capacity as member advisory panel.

"Of course, it is an honour to have retained the board's faith. I have always played and worked for the betterment of Pakistan cricket and now that I have been appointed a long-term coach, my responsibilities are more challenging," he said.

Miandad admitted that he can now work and prepare a team keeping in mind that he has to be responsible for the team's performance in the South African competition.

"Every tournament and series leading upto the World Cup is important and crucial. But now I can experiment a bit with the players, reshuffle them so that by the time the competition is round the corner, we are better equipped," the cricket genius said.

CONTRACTS GIVEN TO PLAYERS: The PCB awarded fresh and upgraded contract to its 14 players who left for Singapore on Wednesday evening.

The contracts included an additional clause included on the instructions of International Cricket Council (ICC) that no player would be allowed to place bets or get involved in matchfixing.

It has been made mandatory for a player to inform the team management if he is approached by a bookmaker. Disciplinary action would be taken against a player who fails to report any contact with a bookmaker.

The PCB, in its continued effort to curb match-fixing and betting, has strictly warned the players of dire consequences.

However, it was not confirmed if the ICC's new orders of captains signing declarations that their team has not been involved in matchfixing would be introduced from Singapore.