Differences to harm cricket: Mudassar

Published November 21, 2003

LAHORE, Nov 20: Former Pakistan coach and Test cricketer Mudassar Nazar on Thursdsay warned that the process of building up a strong team for future could be damaged due to the ongoing row between the chief selector and the team management and urged the differences should be resolved forthwith.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad and captain Inzamamul Haq had shown their resentments over chief selector Aamir Sohail’s decision of picking 22 probables for the forthcoming home series against New Zealand without consulting them.

Mudassar urged the PCB chief to resolve the issue amicably if he wanted to build up a strong team.

He suggested that PCB must appoint a senior and highly respected person, whether in the team management or selection committee, who could help in resolving such issues.

He, however, stressed that the coach and the captain should be consulted before picking probables for a camp.

“The captain and the coach have to chalk out strategy and they are in a better position to guide the selection committee which players they need,” Mudassar said.

He said after the dismal performance in the World Cup-2003 in South Africa, the PCB took a bold, though belated, decision of sacking some senior players to groom a new team.

Mudassar criticised New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for sending an under-strength team.

He said the NZC created fuss in the World Cup by not sending its team to Kenya, the co-host, and then created trouble for Pakistan by calling off the Test at Karachi in May 2002.

He said the NZC should not bow to its cricketers and instead urge them to tour Pakistan.

He claimed that the PCB’s refusal to send Pakistan team to New Zealand in December-January forced them to review their decision.

He also criticised ICC for not providing proper international exposure after giving Test status to any country.

“The ICC, after giving Test status to Bangladesh and One-day to Kenya, failed to provide them maximum international exposure and that is why both the countries are struggling.”

Mudassar, who has been appointed director of Kenyan Cricket Academy for two years from January 1, 2004, said the Pakistan Cricket Academy was equipped with the best facilities but added he had no idea about its working and output because he remained away from the country.

The former all-rounder said he would take Pakistani and Indian cricketers to Kenya to play there as professional.

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