Coaching role: Aaqib lashes out at PCB for going back on their ‘promise’

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

Former fast bowler Aaqib Javed has ruled himself out for the post of head coach just days after being the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) top target.

Javed, who had earlier shown an interest in taking the job, said he was approached by the PCB last week but was disappointed by the board's decision to openly advertise for a successor to Waqar Younis.

The 43-year-old will instead remain with the UAE and said that he ruled himself out because of the PCB's insistence that it wanted a foreign coach.

“I’m still the UAE head coach and am not going anywhere,” Javed was quoted as saying by Sport360.

“I’m not leaving. I’m not even applying for the Pakistan job because the speculation is they are going for a foreign coach."

According to Javed, PCB had given him their word but have had change of heart since.

“Due to pressure or whatever, it has changed. So I don’t want to give my expertise to people who don’t hold their promises," Javed added.

“All of a sudden they are going through a different process. Why didn’t they tell me this before?”

Javed, a member of the 1992 World Cup winning team, played 22 Tests and 163 ODIs for Pakistan between 1988 and 1998, had also served Pakistan cricket as assistant and bowling coach for three and a half years.

He has been head coach of the UAE since 2012.

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Samrat

Apr 07, 2016 06:32pm

What about approach to VIV Richards?

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Xavi

Apr 07, 2016 06:36pm

Good, you were and are still average, I wont be surprised if the post goes to Dean Jones

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Batting Coach

Apr 07, 2016 06:38pm

Batting coach not fast bowler coach again !

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Razi

Apr 07, 2016 06:38pm

I am not sure if a foreign coach is the answer however having Viv Richards would be amazing. He was very praising of Sarfaraz during the PSL and his passion for the game was seen by all!

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Abdulla Hussain

Apr 07, 2016 06:43pm

PCB will again make a mistake if it picks wrong coach, only a senior local ex-Player preferably ex captain will nicely fill the spot.

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yaqoot

Apr 07, 2016 06:46pm

@Samrat Richards rejected the salary, PCB did not revise the offer.

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aryan

Apr 07, 2016 06:46pm

I dont understand y they feel so offended..if they dont want you..its shud be fine with you..its their will as they are the one who is paying for it..where the question of promises n all comes..if u r good enough u still can selected..y is he so scared of going through the process..

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yaqoot

Apr 07, 2016 06:47pm

Dean Jones would be a good candidate for this Job

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miristan

Apr 07, 2016 06:53pm

Pakistan quires a batting coach. A good player does not mean that he could be a good coach. It is completely a different field please understand thy need a fielding and batting coach. Pakistan does not want a out dated coach.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Apr 07, 2016 06:57pm

Please select Australian coach who should have t20 knowledge.

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Riaz

Apr 07, 2016 07:03pm

Most guys in the team can't speak or understand foreign language, so more problems...

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natey

Apr 07, 2016 07:12pm

coaches cant win you matches..what important is a strict coach who dont tolerate these stars attitude of arrogance...someone they afraid of..n follows the instructions..this is a kind of coach pakistan needs

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Arisha G

Apr 07, 2016 07:13pm

...and he doesn't seem a good fit either, imho. I don't feel he has the right attitude and approach to the job observing some of his interviews since the 90s.

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Pakfan

Apr 07, 2016 07:15pm

@yaqoot Negotiate with him, should bring Viv Richards.

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RIZ

Apr 07, 2016 07:27pm

This is a normal procedure where job has to be listed and advertise even though most of the time it's already decided who will get it. There is either lack of communication between Aaqib and PCB or even if PCB wants to look other options there is nothing wrong with it.

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nurul huda

Apr 07, 2016 07:32pm

Why don't you considered Indian coach. For instance, Dravid, Ganguly, Gavaskar etc...

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Tanweer Khan

Apr 07, 2016 07:38pm

The PCB need to go for a top player that has retired recently, and has the utmost respect from cricketers across the world. Viv Richards and Dean Jones aren't the answer - as they retired long before the T20 revolution and the 300runs+ ODI games. What is required here is more someone like a Sangakkara, a Stephen Fleming or a Mike Hussey. Solid batsmen with high integrity. Then also get some others with bowling experience, fielding, fitness, spin etc. I am thinking an Alan Donald, Jonty Rhodes or others with similar level of expertise. But these need to be people with no bribery/corruption/match-fixing allegations etc. Let's clean this mess up properly for once.

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nurul huda

Apr 07, 2016 07:55pm

The days are gone where 70% strike rate were considered to be the most dangerous batsman. The name you guys mentioned are not fit in present day scenario. Today, coach should be a aggressive player once as well as he should have potential of reading the games/ players. You might hate Indians but you can considered indian coach. Both players & coach can have good understanding between them as mode of communication are same as well as livelihood. I hope Dravid, Ganguly can take Pakistan cricket to another level.

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Amir Shahzad

Apr 07, 2016 08:05pm

only foreign coach can help to keep politics/grouping out of team

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akp

Apr 07, 2016 08:19pm

how can a foreign coach help. when half of the player has language issue. they can not communicate. in such cases translators role is not worth. Pak has so many outstanding gems why not them, zahir abbbas, ramiz raja, javed etc

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Fried Chillies

Apr 07, 2016 08:23pm

Greg Chappell

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Ali

Apr 07, 2016 08:25pm

Come on Aqib What qualifies you as an international coach? What international teams have used your expertise? Were you expecting getting an coaching offer without a evaluation process among prospective candidates. Be a professional aqib.

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Yasir

Apr 07, 2016 08:29pm

Disadvantages of a Foreign coach: Communication barrier. How can you expect a teacher to teach a class when half of its pupil do not understand what the teacher is saying. There are too many elements involved here with finding the right coach. I hope the coach selectors weigh out the pros and cons effectively.

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Apr 07, 2016 08:34pm

Unless and until top order is changed PCB will be business as usual. Wait and watch.

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Moderate

Apr 07, 2016 08:55pm

@Xavi Are you serious Aaqib Javed was an average bowler? Have u watched cricket in the 90s??

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Imran A.

Apr 07, 2016 08:58pm

The answer to all these questions lies with Misbah. We as a nation love players who play with aggression and no holding back. Misbah has been quietly enforcing a careful and solid response within his test team. But our nation hates him for that. Same coach, same PCB and the results are amazing with Misbah. We have all the talent needed, we need someone who will discipline the team players in all their endeavors of life. That means players need to be discipline on field and off field. Once they join the Cricket team, all their activities will observed at all times. Afridi, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad only play with aggression and no discipline. We need to remove this culture. Shoab Malik is playing well, and so is Hafeez.

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SAEED MASOOD

Apr 07, 2016 09:16pm

Apart from hiring a very professional and powerful coach, someone will have to guarantee that our players like Afridi, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Ahmed Shehzad, Hafeez will listen to him and give him respect...because these player think that they are bigger than the game and it is not them, it is Pakistan who needs them, until and unless they will show discipline nothing will improve...

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Cyrus

Apr 07, 2016 09:20pm

Talent galore in Pakistan, local coach= no language barrier as most players are not conversant in english... thinking at PCB= Flawed.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Apr 07, 2016 09:32pm

Languages is not a a big deal nowadays. Keep assistant coach who should be good at English and know cricket and serve as a translator.

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Shahid

Apr 07, 2016 09:49pm

Aqib Javed, you ahould have better known this administration. Their management style is a true copy of Afridi's batting approach.

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Mazhar

Apr 07, 2016 09:51pm

What special expertise he possesses is beyond my comprehension. Training a novice team like UAE and claiming to be an expert is a joke. I think PCB should never hire him as it will be a waste of money. Moreover he was a bowler and that too an ordinary bowler. Pakistan team requires an expert batting coach who by virtue of playing international cricket as Batsman understands fine aspects of batting. So remain in UAE and please do not taint pakistan team.

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Shahid

Apr 07, 2016 10:04pm

You need a very powerful coach with all the selection powers. He should be allowed to select a player or discard one irrespective of who he is. Just like in football. Secondly make sure that when a player gets injured sliding and diving, he does not lose his income as compared to if he was playing matches. Our main problem is insecurity among players. They know that doing good fielding can lead to injuries and injuries can lead to that you never come back in the squad. It is how it is when there is no world class performer.

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Aly

Apr 07, 2016 10:58pm

Get Ricky Ponting as your head coach and Misbah as your assistant. Pakistan needs a young coach to develop its core players. India did something similar with Gary Kirsten, stuck with the same young core players for years and developed a culture of self confidence. After which local coaches or team directors can take it forward. Pakistan team needs coaching as the quality of coaching and player development at the domestic level is mediocre.

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Pakfan

Apr 07, 2016 11:04pm

@Moderate after Waqar Younis you still need a star player for coaching. For coaching you need less talent and more work, people skills and brain...

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A. Ali

Apr 08, 2016 12:46am

well done Aqib.... you played alongside IK, you should stay put on such stance.... thanks for showing mirror to PCB cronies backed by ever corrupt pmln govt...

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A. Ali

Apr 08, 2016 12:56am

lot of friendly comments are referring to a foreign coach and naming likes of great King Richards and Dean Jones... they are icons for youngsters to follow... our current PCB and self obsessed great players will fail even such greats and icons... nevertheless, Pak cricket have a different aura of selecting the players and most of our players are not well educated (unfortunately) to understand and communicate with foreign coaches... all foreign coaches have failed with us, and this is one reason I do understand will undermine ever Sobers and Bradman as coach for our teams... Mohsin/ Javed / Waqar were success as coaches because no language barrier hindered the communication with players... I have already raised this question with PCB about 8/9 years back after sad demise of Bob Woolmer, since I am nobody they not even acknowledged the receipt of that email... foreign coach is not solution. we need to have own players as coaches and remove players like Akmal and Shehzad for good..

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Sherry

Apr 08, 2016 01:12am

Good Aqib!Please stay away. This is something beyond your capabilities. A domestic team is all you can do but not beyond that please.

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Muslim Medina

Apr 08, 2016 01:12am

Performance of a team does not depend on a coach. A coach can only guide them, show them their errors and hope the player follows what he has told them. An example is Toronto's ice hockey team. In spite of having one of the best coach and the result is that the team finished second last in standings. The onus is on the players.

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shak

Apr 08, 2016 01:31am

i would love to see Ganguly as Pakistan's coach

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Abc

Apr 08, 2016 02:15am

As people are suggesting Viv Richards ..I believe it is not a bad idea but possibilities are that someday there might be an ugly scenario between the great man and ego of the pcb crooks.. And he might not appear for the psl as well... Dean jones is not a bad choice and think he can handle these bunch as well but again the commentary job with psl and commitments in other domestic league...etc... Thus, 1) Mickey Arthur if not then someone from South Africa .. 2) Dave whatmore .. Why not ask him to take the task one more time.. Personally, I believe he should be the one.... And if we are lucky enough we might get another Bob woolmer Lets hope...

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faisal

Apr 08, 2016 04:07am

Stay away from them Pakistan and PCB.

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Ali

Apr 08, 2016 04:17am

For those criticizing Aquib Javed, all they need to do is look at his record with the UAE. He has done an excellent job. All he is saying is that PCB officials told him one thing and then without giving him any advance notice advertised the job. This is completely wrong. The problem was not with Waqar and will not be with Aquib or any other foreign coach. Anyone remember Bob Woolmer? We still don't know the truth behind what happened with him. In any case, the main issue lies with the PCB management/higher ups who don't have a clue. Only in the so called "Land of the Pure" do we see such incompetence tolerated.

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 08, 2016 05:20am

Lot of the top class managers and coaches in world football are not footballers or at least of international level. Coaching is very different to playing the game....just like all top performers in academics do not make good teachers...

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Apr 08, 2016 05:51am

This has to be the most unprofessional board their is, no one seems to trust them.

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Pak

Apr 08, 2016 07:21am

its not the coach that will game yes he can help them in some cases but mostly is up to the players, their ability and desiere to win ........... and the pride to represet their country ..........Pak needs to educate professional attitude to players as soon as they are selected for national team or even as soon as they start playing domestic

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Swami

Apr 08, 2016 08:04am

The question is not about whom Pakistan wants as coach, but who in the world wants to coach Pakistan. Unless the money is ridiculous, no top grade recent player is going to subject himself to the turmoil of Pakistan cricket.

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Tahir A

Apr 08, 2016 10:16am

An Indian or Pakistani batting expert will be good but knowing our players (including youngsters) attitude, arrogance and ego, it will not work. With a gora, even if there is a language problem, at least he will make sure he will not be messed about if he is a disciplinarian.

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Asim Rashid

Apr 08, 2016 12:06pm

It dosen't matter who you bring in as coach as the whole administration is corrupt from top to bottom

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kash

Apr 08, 2016 12:28pm

Dean Jones is favourite now. He mentored the Islamambad team well in psl and seems to have good rapport with Misbah. Islamabad did not have the best starts but Dean Jones said same thing happened with the team in BBL. They lost first four games and won the rest to win trophy. Similar thing happened with Islamabad United and to be honest the team was united and had a great team theme song.

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Riaz

Apr 09, 2016 04:41pm

I have heard of this, I will only apply for,the job if it is guaranteed that I get it! What nonsense is this. I appreciate that there may be a possibility that there is front runner and that person is foreign. So what's the problem going to interview and doing well by presenting a strong case.

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Riaz

Apr 09, 2016 04:48pm

Imran A I agree in part with your assessment. However the true test of test matches are about to,come with tour of England and Australia.....both will be disasterous as things stand. Now Misbah has done very well,as a captain and as player....unfortunately as you correctly say, he. It like by the very public who is having a go,at everybody. So the problem is very complicated. I would say start with new PCB head, draft. 5 year plan, with youth at centre stage. Select guys who are naturally for,,discard anybody who unfit change team culture, develop A team by sending them to tough countries SA, England, NZ etc.be consistent in selection based on drafted criteria.

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