Sacking of Miandad was in the offing (4 May 1999)

4 May 1999

Sacking of Miandad was in the offing

The Dawn

KARACHI, May 3: Certain influential officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided to sack Javed Miandad well before he officially tendered his resignation.

According to investigations, it had been decided at least before April 16 that Miandad would not be the coach in the World Cup.

The fact is proved by a fax (a copy of which is available) that was sent by Pakistan team's liaison officer Raja Khan to PCB secretary Waqar Ahmad. In that fax message, there is no mention of Javed Miandad at all.

In fact, England-born South African Richard Pybus is shown as coach who would conduct batting and bowling sessions. Interestingly, batting and bowling practices come under the portfolio of the coach who was Javed Miandad on April 16 before he resigned on April 21.

Javed Miandad has been repeatedly saying that the board had decided to fire him. He added that he resigned only to save himself from humiliation.

PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood last week said it was one official who wanted Miandad out. On the contrary, Miandad claims that the players and a key PCB official masterminded his ouster.

With Miandad openly saying now that it was because of the players that he resigned, the cricket board officials are tight-lipped. Efforts were made to contact the top hierarchy but no one was available to offer any comments.

Meanwhile, Miandad arrived in Karachi late Sunday evening. On Monday, he spent a busy day as he had scheduled meetings with cricket administrators who are not presently part of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA).

In an another development, KCCA's rival party, the Karachi Division Cricket Association (KDCA), have offered the former captain to take over as their president. It was, however, not confirmed whether Miandad has accepted the offer or not.

The Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)