Former Pakistan captain and pace bowling great Wasim Akram hit out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for offering Moin Khan a two-month contract, terming the decision as a “joke.”
Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Intikhab Alam were involved in choosing a new coaching team for the national side and after weeks of deliberations the PCB settled on Khan, choosing him over former stars Waqar Younis and Mohsin Khan among others. Akram welcomed the move to pick the former wicket-keeper but was appalled at the contract handed to Khan.
“I have been hearing that they are offering a two-month contract for Moin Khan and that is very upsetting. When you can offer two-year contracts for foreign coaches, offering your own coach a contract of just two months is not good. Which coach can make a difference in two months? I feel it is a wrong thinking by the board,” Akram said in an interview with Gulf News.
PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told reporters Khan would coach the team only for this month's Asia Cup and next month's World Twenty20 for now.
“Khan has been appointed head coach on the recommendations of the coach committee and since we have no cricket until October this year we will review his contract after the two tours,” said Ahmed, the fourth member of the coach committee.
Akram, however, said the time could have been used to help Khan develop the team further.
“They have come up with the argument that they don’t have cricket for five months but in those five months, Moin Khan can actually channelise his players. He can go to different cities and see first-class matches. Offering a two-month contract is a joke.”
Khan played 69 Tests and 219 one-day internationals for Pakistan in the 1990s and 2000s. He has also coached the Pakistani and Indian domestic teams but never an international team.
Khan has been team manager since July this year. Former paceman Zakir Khan, a director in the PCB, takes over as manager for the two tours.
Pakistan had former Australian batsman Whatmore as head coach from March 2012 to last month.
Former opening batsman Shoaib Mohammad, son of batting legend Hanif Mohammad, meanwhile has been appointed as fielding coach to replace Englishman Julian Fountain whose contract also expired last month.
Another former captain Zaheer Abbas was appointed “chief cricket consultant” and will accompany the team on tours, said Ahmed.
Abbas, known as Asia's Don Bradman, will be in charge of batting.
Former captain Aamir Sohail's appointment as chief selector last week was declared null and void, with former Test batsman Azhar Khan taking his place.
Bowling coach Mohammad Akram's contract is also renewed for another two years, said Ahmed.
