Former Pakistan batsman and chief selector Mohsin Khan hit out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for “making a fool” out of the public with the appointment of the head coach of the national team.
Pakistan cricket chiefs on Tuesday appointed fast bowling legend Waqar Younis for a second spell as head coach.
The 42-year-old had been tipped as favourite to take over the role vacated by Australian coach Dav Whatmore, whose contract expired in March.
Former wicketkeeper Moin Khan, who filled in as interim coach, guided Pakistan to the Asia Cup final but a poor performance in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh meant his contract was not extended.
But Mohsin Khan, who as interim head coach helped Pakistan complete a 3-0 Test-series sweep against the then world No 1 England in the United Arab Emirates early in 2012, termed the PCB’s coach hunt a “drama”.
“What was the point in lying to everyone? If they had already made up their mind on who they were going to pick, why did they advertise for the position of head coach?” Khan asked at a press conference in Karachi.
“I had applied for the post when the PCB advertised for the head coach along with other [support staff] positions. But the board opted to ignore the process it had laid down for the appointment.”
Khan particularly took PCB chairman Najam Sethi to task.
“What do you expect when you have such a chairman in charge? This is Pakistan’s cricket board, the people’s board. But they’re running it like their family owns it. This chairman only needs yes-men around him.”
Former Pakistan Test off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who had also applied for the chief coach as well as bowling coach, said, “To be honest I have no idea because no one called me for interview.”