04 August 2004	Wednesday	17 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

NEW DELHI, Aug 3: Pakistan's cricket legend Javed Miandad is not happy with the way he was sacked as the national team's coach and also does not loses his cool when asked about his reaction to the sacking.

He simply says: "It's all part of cricket. However, I don't think Pakistani team did too badly during my tenure. We gave a good fight to India and were in fact 2-0 up in One-dayers. There's nothing wrong in bringing in Bob Woolmer if it improves team's performance."

Asked to elaborate on laptop style of coaching, he says: "The coach has a limited role to play in cricket. We won 1992 World Cup in Australia without a coach. Ultimately, it's the players who have to perform on the field, not the laptop.

"Otherwise, how would Mohammed Sami (Pak speedster) bowl a 17-ball over. I always preach what I've done in my career. So if I was good enough to play for 20 years why can't those methods work for others too," he asked.

MIANDAD ADDED: "To succeed at highest level one needs inborn talent. No coach or equipment can make a good cricketer. "Look at the Australians, they have a professional infrastructure.

It's not going to make any difference whether they have a coach or not. They will remain world beaters," Miandad, who is in India to do road shows for a private tv channel, quips.

The 47-year old, known for his sharp cricketing skills, also welcomed move to appoint former Pakistani skipper Intikhab Alam as Indian Punjab coach. "We have similar wickets, culture and conditions countries and we can communicate with each other easily. I haven't got any offer as yet, but I'm open to it," Miandad said.

He vehemently criticised English Twenty-20 format. "It's okay for England because county clubs need to generate revenue to pay their players and staff. But look at it from players' perspective. It's completely stupid," he said. -PPI