Dubai: Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka under the guidance of their interim coach Mohsin Khan while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in the process of finalising their next coach. Khan, who is also the chief selector, was seen working hard with the players yesterday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium shaping them for the Test match commencing today.
It is understood that 12 foreign coaches and 25 local coaches have applied for the coach's post which fell vacant following Waqar Younus' decision to step down. Among the names who have applied for the post are former Australian batsman Dean Jones.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who is in Dubai as brand ambassador for Gulf Super Sixes tournament, has backed Jones for the post.
"I like Jones because he is a very hard working guy. You need someone like Jones or Dave Whatmore if PCB is deciding to go for a foreign coach," said Akram.
According to Akram a foreign coach will do better than a coach from Pakistan.
"Our players come from a culture where they have many problems. They need a coach who will listen to them and not tell the media about the player or take sides. A foreign coach will have no personal agenda," he added.
Poor form
Among the other prominent names that figure for the coach's post are Dermot Reeve and Aaqib Javed.
Akram, citing Umar Akmal, as an example, said that some players need to be talked to constantly. Akmal has been dropped for the UAE series due to poor form. "Akmal is a phenomenal talent but he has to perform consistently. He needs a coach or captain who can talk to him all the time. Batting is not about hitting sixes and power batting, it is about timing.
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Inzamam Ul Haq and Aravind De Silva are all not big hitters of the ball but they timed the ball well. This is what Akmal lacked during the World Cup where he was trying to hit every ball out of the park.
"He is a rare talent. The axing may do him good. He can go back and play first class cricket get some runs and get back into Pakistan side," he said.
