Pakistan: Haroon may be replaced before SA tour (2 Jan 1998)

02 January 1998 Ê

Haroon may be replaced before SA tour

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 1: Haroon Rasheed may be replaced as Pakistan team coach before the national outfit proceeds to Africa where it will play five Tests and at least nine one-day internationals on a three-month tour. The chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Majid Khan, confirmed on Thursday evening from Lahore that Haroon Rasheed's seven-month tenure will be discussed by the Executive Council.

"The Executive Council will meet before team's departure in which Haroon's performance will be studied. If the Council expressed unsatisfaction, he (Haroon Rasheed) may be replaced. "The Executive Council is the competent authority to retain or replace a coach," Majid said from his Lahore residence.

Majid admitted that Haroon's performance has not been very good. He said the Council was not particularly happy with it, at least. The PCB chief executive, however, said Haroon will be going to Dhaka as coach. "But his position as coach for the African tour is not secure," he said.

Haroon's seven-month period has been plagued with defeats, including defeats in the Sahara Cup, home Test series against South Africa and golden jubilee quadrangular tournament.

However, what has not been considered is the fact that Haroon had to work with four different captains - Ramiz Raja, Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram and lastly Rashid Latif - since taking over from Mushtaq Mohammad last May.

Majid Khan dismissed impressions that a foreign coach will take over from Haroon on the African safari. He said negotiations with foreign coaches were still on but nothing was confirmed so far. Haroon was initially appointed as cricket manager for three years with a provision of review of his performance before extending his contract. Meanwhile, newly-appointed captain Rashid Latif called on Majid Khan on Thursday morning. The PCB official said the discussion revolved around the coming assignment.

"We didn't discuss the African tour as our first priority is to win the Dhaka triangular. He (Rashid Latif) was informed of his responsibilities as a captain. Besides, I wished him best of luck," Majid said.

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