Cricket: Ijaz and coach settle dispute

By RICHARD BOOCK

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad and senior batsman Ijaz Ahmed have agreed to bury the hatchet, for the time being at least, after a meeting in Wellington.

The pair attended the dressing-room meeting at the weekend at the insistence of captain Moin Khan, vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, and star fast bowler Waqar Younis, who wanted to clear the air after Ijaz had accused Miandad of nepotism.

According to Ijaz, he had been dropped from the Pakistan side because Miandad wanted to select his nephew, Faisal Iqbal, who has so far played in the first two tests against New Zealand and is almost certain to play in the third.

On the other hand, Miandad apparently denied reports that he told Pakistan Cricket Board officials he would return home if Ijaz was sent to New Zealand.

Pakistan sources said the meeting ended on a positive note, with the pair not only settling their differences, but also indulging in the first witnessed conversation since Ijaz arrived at the start of the first test in Auckland.

The incumbent test opener, Ijaz has been struggling for form in New Zealand and even looked out of sorts during practice.

However, since the truce Miandad has been working more closely with his senior batsman, assisting him with several batting drills to get his feet moving again.

When contacted afterwards, Ijaz said he had a long discussion with Miandad and now held nothing against him: "Everything is okay between us," he said.

Miandad has reiterated that Pakistan will be happy with whatever pitch Hamilton is able to produce for the test, and said his team was not concerned about suggestions it would assist the seam bowlers.

"We're not bothered about such reports," he said. "I'm confident the boys are well equipped to play on any sort of pitch - fast, seaming or spinning. Their confidence is high and morale is good; they are quality players and can adjust."