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KARACHI - Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas have criticised the national cricket board for choosing another foreign coach, Australian Geoff Lawson.
"How can you expect a foreigner to have the same feeling of patriotism or nationalism that a Pakistani does?," said Miandad. "Instead of bringing in foreigners the board should first try to improve the grass-root cricket level."
Lawson was confirmed as the new coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board, succeeding former England international Bob Woolmer who died of suspected heart failure during the World Cup in the West Indies in March.
"If these foreign coaches can give a guarantee that the team will achieve a certain level of performance, fine. Otherwise it is a waste of money," said Miandad, who appeared in 124 tests and was coach of the senior team for three terms.
Under Woolmer, Pakistan went out in the first round of the World Cup after losing to Ireland.
Intikhab, who was manager-cum-coach when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup in Australia, said Lawson was in for a tough time.
"I have nothing against him but he should be prepared for a lot of criticism and a hard time," Intikhab said.
"The board should first try to find out if we really need a foreign coach and than take a decision.
"I believe some of our players are equally good and capable of delivering results."
The board announced the appointment after a meeting of its ad-hoc committee but Lawson had already given the news to Australian media.
"What was the purpose of having the meeting if the board had already taken a decision?" Zaheer asked.
"I worked as manager with Woolmer and I can say our own players are equally good."
- REUTERS
