Pakistan: Great expectations from Miandad-Sohail combination (31 Aug 1998)

31 August 1998

Great expectations from Miandad-Sohail combination

By Lateef Jafri

It is now a fortnight that former ace batsman Javed Miandad's appointment as coach for the main cricket string was endorsed by the higher tier of the board but he still continues to be a subject of discussion in the cricket circles as well as other gatherings.

As expected there was no dissenting voice at the Council meeting for the members thought that his contributions to country's cricket were so maximal and wide that his services should be utilized for polishing the potential of the senior players and honing the skills of the newly-discovered talent. Whatever delight Mohsin Hasan Khan may have given to the connoisseurs during his playing career as a stylish opening batsman he was never a contender to the senior post once Miandad had offered his services for the country's cricket. It goes without saying that justice had been done to Mohsin by putting the 'A' outfit under his charge.

Some reputed veterans, among whom were little master Hanif Mohammad and former Test off-spinner Haseeb Ahsan, lauded the Council's decision and thought that with the experience that Miandad has as a leading Test and one-day batsman he will be successful in delivering the goods. Hanif opined that with Miandad as a guide the rivals (India initially) would be put under more psychological pressure than under any other tutor. Whatever may be the views of former cricket wizards the end-result in international matches would show if Miandad's choice as a coach and his presence with the lineup as a strategist will make a major impact on the approach and performance of the selected players.

One cannot but take with reservation the board's arrangement that if the need arises Miandad nay also don the pads and help out the team in distress. This apparently will be a strange experiment having few precedents even though Iqbal Qasim as assistant manager during the 1987 tour of England was supposed to assist the outfit as a spinner. Imran Khan, the captain on the trip, allowed him little opportunities to exhibit has bowling expertise in the Tests and one-dayers, apart from fielding him in a few minor side games. Imran mostly depended on the trickery of Abdul Qadir and Tauseef.

It will be risky if Miandad goes out to face the Indian attack and puts up a below-average performance. In his last knock in Karachi in the 1996 World Cup even though Miandad expressed satisfaction over his unbeaten effort of 11 runs against England one could see that he was far from his usual commanding self. In the next appearance in the highly-tense atmosphere at Bangalore his 38 was comparatively more disciplined. Taken on the whole he was no more the gifted player of earlier days and had lost some of the brilliance in stroke-making for which he was known. If at all Miandad was found wanting in his batting effort it will come as a considerable embarrassment to him and his supporters and his failing with the willow will disappoint the team members as a whole. It will be much better if he stays in the pavilion to give the needed technical advice to the conglomerate in general.

The coach and the cricket manager during tour, while chalking out his recipe for optimal performances gave the first priority to discipline. He said those violating the code of conduct will have to travel back by the first available flight. He expects to extract the best out of the selectees.

Miandad thought that if the players followed his training schedule they would only be needing his guidance during matches. He was of the view that off-the-field activities affect a cricketer's form; they have to be curbed if at all the team is ready to put up the best possible show.

The first test on the field comes next week for the squad and the coach in far-off Canada where it measures strength with a confident and enthusiastic Indian side travelling to Toronto after successes in the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka and the tri-nation cricket on home venues.

Leaving aside the easy-sailing decision on the coach the Council had a hard job in naming a captain. It appeared that the house was divided on this ticklish issue into two groups. The Chief Executive, Majid Khan, tried to point out to the members the many instances of misdemeanour of Aamir Sohail, recognised as a sound and skilful opening batsman, and the harm that may come to the lineup in his nomination. Perhaps the majority remained unconvinced and thought that the Chief Executive's criticism was of a personal nature and the batsman had already been penalised of his acts of commission and omission and the cricket's top administrator had also to be blamed for some of the incidents. The violation of the board's code by Imran Khan during his playing days was also brought to the notice of the councillors during the extended debate to counter the arguments of Majid. This swayed the majority towards Sohail, who was being reportedly backed by the PCB Chairman, Khalid Mahmood.

Majid later made a full-blast attack in an interview on Aamir Sohail's attitude on and off the field and thought that being undisciplined previously he may presumably set a bad example for his team-mates. This was after the Council's approval of the choice of the captain. Many are of the opinion that Majid overstepped his position once the higher tier of the board had given a ruling in favour of Aamir Sohail. There is a feeling that the Chief Executive himself broke the PCB's code of conduct so many times enforced by him on others. In any case it is for the councillors and the cricket officials to find if the Chief Executive was within his right to question a decision already taken by the Council with the required majority.

Though cricket followers have generally welcomed the appointment of Aamir Sohail, known for his adventurous and daring batting, many think that injustice has been done with Saeed Anwar, who had better claims to captaincy, or with Salim Malik, a senior cricketer in his own right. The latter's case is still under scrutiny by a PCB committee as well as by the parliamentarians' panel. Same is the case with Wasim Akram, who is alleged to be involved in the bookies racket, if not in match-fixing scandals. Both if indicted may be weeded out of the national touring party, even though the team may be weakened by their ousters since even pacer Waqar Youins is reportedly not hundred per cent fit.

Some critics have held Sohail as a moody person fearing that as a captain he may not be able to carry the team with him a unit. This may disturb the balance of the selected lot, though he has said in specific terms that every player is aware of his duty and knows what it means to play for the country. He added that his objective would be to ensure that the selected players backed him fully. His main aim would to give winning results for the satisfaction of the cricket fans.

If at all Aamir Sohail finds any problem in smoothly dealing with the players coach Miandad will have to play a key role in the matches against India and the upcoming encounters against Australia and Zimbabwe, as also in the Dhaka mini World Cup.

Aamir Sohail has lauded Miandad's nomination as a coach and cricket manager and held the view that the former captain would be providing healthy ideas for the side's success. Still there are fears of divergence of views between the two on adopting the right tactics on the field. This may upset the equanimity of the pack and may hit the consistency required in putting up an exceptional performance. One expects Miandad to disprove the misgivings among the fans and the followers of the game.

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