24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

JAIPUR, July 23: Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan captain who was recently sacked as the national coach, says youngsters are being pushed into Pakistan team too early and that is one of the reasons for the side's inconsistency at top level.

Miandad, who was here in connection with his new assignment as an expert commentator for a TV channel, said many things were ailing Pakistan cricket and one of those was lack of infrastructure.

"This is why youngsters are being pushed into Pakistan team only on basis of few good scores in domestic cricket. The gap in standard of domestic and international cricket is too big and they are not hardened enough to cope with cricket at top level.

"They don't even have the basics right. Some may be seen catching the ball with spread fingers and some don't take a start while fielding. Look at the Australians, they have very good infrastructure and those who graduate to top level are a hardened lot," said Miandad.

On criticism that his coaching methods were outdated, he said he was never against new technology or use of computers. "I feel coaches in cricket do not have a large a role as in other games. Once a player is in the middle, he is on his own. The coach has little scope.

"Even then I used to shout and make gestures from the pavilion because I had good tuning with players like Yousuf Youhana and many others. Moreover, due to time restrains umpires do not allow 12th man to come into ground too often and sending messages to the batsmen is difficult task."

"Think about Sunil Gavaskar, he did not have the talent to hit the ball all over but he used his brain while batting and was able to score against fierce bowlers like Joel Garner whose deliveries always reached chest high for diminutive Gavaskar. The coach can only guide his players but they have to go out and play themselves."

On Pakistan's tame loss despite having new coach Bob Woolmer at the helm, Miandad said it was too early to comment on it. "He has just taken over and they played poorly in that match (against Sri Lanka). After being shot out cheaply for 122 they had lost the battle.

It is too early to comment, Bob needs more time to show his worth. I can just wish him good luck. He is a good friend of mine and I had invited him for dinner. I am ready to offer whatever help he needs from me."

Miandad said he was not unhappy after being removed as a coach. "It was not my sole responsibility. Now cricket is not my career. Why should I be worried? I had an offer to be a commentator for Asia Cup but I preferred this offer by Zee TV."

He was all praise for Indian team. "They are very good now. They have best batting lineup in world. Earlier they lacked teeth in bowling but now with Irfan and Balaji in the team, their attack is not batsmen friendly any more."

Calling for more India-Pakistan exchanges, he said playing each other more often would "ease out tension and it will also provide youngsters of both countries an opportunity to improve their game." -Agencies