Saeed Anwar retained as Pakistan skipper until July

Peshawar, March 5: Saeed Anwar was on Sunday retained as captain for the strenuous next four months during which Pakistan will play six Tests and almost 25 One-day Internationals.

Former Test skipper Javed Miandad was re-appointed the Pakistan coach for the said period.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia told reporters here that Dr Dan Keisel would be accompanying the team as physiotherapist while Brig (retd) Khawaja Ahmad Nasir would continue as manager for the tours of Sharjah, West Indies, Dhaka and Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan squad leaves for Sharjah on March 19 for the March-22-31 triangular tournament which also involves South Africa and India.

The general, while praising the contributions of Intikhab Alam, said the former captain would return to International Cricket Council (ICC). Intikhab is on the panel of international match referees. "Javed Miandad has been appointed coach until July 13 when Pakistan complete the gruelling four months of cricket in Sri Lanka," the PCB chairman said.

"Saeed Anwar was retained captain after the PCB was left with no other option after Moin Khan withdrew from the second Test because of knee injury and high fever. However, Saeed's deputy would be named during the third Test in Karachi," he said, hinting that Moin was likely to regain the vacant job.

On Javed Miandad, the general said he has been briefed in detail about his role.

"He knows what he has to do and what to extract from the players. He has also been told how to handle the players off the field.

"I am sure he will not repeat the mistakes he committed during his previous tenure which led to misunderstandings."

Miandad, a scorer of 8,832 Test and 7,381 One-day International runs, was last appointed coach in September 1998. But he resigned after highly successful tours of India and Sharjah just two weeks before the team was to leave for England for the World Cup.

The general said the thinking behind re-appointing Miandad as coach was his vast experience and the players' recommendation. "Senior players wanted him as coach because they felt that he (Miandad) was the only person who understood them (players) and their weakness," he added.

The general said he would personally inform Intikhab about the PCB decision.

Miandad, who also captained Pakistan in 34 Tests, said he was looking forward to assist the team return to its old winning ways.

"When I left the team, it was on top. Things are not bad now but they are struggling with form and some fitness. I am confident that I will be able to sort things out," he told reporters.

Saeed Anwar said he was a relieved man after the PCB put faith in his leadership qualities.

"I am learning from experience," he said.

The general said the selection committee would be announcing the team for the Sharjah and West Indies one-day rubbers on March 11 in Karachi. He said after the triangular in West Indies, a few players would return and specialist five-day players would be flown.

The general said the advisory council would not miss the services of Miandad and Ramiz Raja until July 13 "because everything would be in order as far as the team is concerned."

He said one of the objectives of the selection committee was to approve the teams which would be completed on March 11. "If there are any replacement, we have a selection committee. Besides, Miandad will also be with the team to give us the clear picture."

The PCB chief said the board was still looking for a fielding coach from overseas to help the Pakistani cricketers.

He said no contact has been made with Geoff Boycott and Barry Richards. "But we will talk to Richards in Sharjah during the triangular series."

The PCB chairman said the board had contacted and offered former Australian Test batsman, Trevor Chappell, the job as fielding coaching. "But he declined the offer saying he was busy with the Sri Lankan team."

General Tauqir said the board was now thinking to approach South Africa's ace fieldsman Jonty Rhodes.

"We will ask him to come for two months after the Sri Lankan series and give tips to improve fielding. Negotiations with him will be held either in Sharjah or in Sri Lanka."

South Africa will have their season off after the Sri Lankan tour, the general said.