PCB mum over Miandad as Bangladesh batting coach

The former captain and coach of Pakistan cricket team Javed Miandad has not sought prior permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his new assignment as batting coach of the Bangladesh cricket team.

The PCB has appointed Miandad as head of its newly formed management committee on domestic cricket, National Umpiring Council, rules and disciplinary affairs. The working of the committee, is likely to suffer due to his absence.

When asked to comment on the appointment of Miandad as batting coach for Bangladesh and the loss PCB would suffer, the PCB director Brig. Munawar Ahmad Rana failed to give any satisfactory answer but said Miandad was not a regular employee of the board and was an independent person in his own right.

It may be recalled that Miandad was removed as coach of Pakistan team on the pretext that he was needed in the PCB advisory council as stated by chairman Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia.

The advisory council has been dissolved but Miandad was appointed as head of the management committee, setting aside the apprehension that the dual responsibilities of Miandad may hamper the smooth working of the committee.

The PCB official did not comment when asked if any disciplinary action was in the offing against Shoaib Akhtar who opted to play for a club team in England, despite being unfit for the national team during the England tour.

While replying to another question he said that the Asian Cricket Council was likely to take a decision in its next meeting regarding fixing any penalty against the Asian countries which would fail to follow the 10 years ICC Calendar of Activity programme. The next ACC meeting is scheduled to be held at Colombo in October this year.

He said that the new policy for player to pass the fitness test before selecting in the team would be continued.