ISLAMABAD: Observing that former national cricketers are truly patriotic and can deliver their best to the players, ex-batting legend Zaheer Abbas on Tuesday urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to go for all-local coaching staff for the national team.

Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq on Monday threw his name in the race for next head coach, while there are two foreign candidates — ex-Australia batsman Dean Jones and former West Indies paceman and captain Courtney Walsh — who have applied for the position of head coach while bowling coach.

Other prominent candidates include Waqar Younis, Mohammad Akram and Jalaluddin, while batting coach contenders comprise Faisal Iqbal and Mohammad Wasim.

Zaheer said the PCB had hired many foreign coaches in the past and have experienced mixed results.

“Therefore, it is better to hire like-minded local coaching staff who can together benefit the team and players,” the ex-Pakistan captain remarked. “Our Pakistani cricketers are highly patriotic people who can pass their skills to the current players with utmost dedication. I think local coaches must be given the chance to serve for the country.”

Zaheer further said Misbah was the best choice for the position of head coach as he had played with a good chunk of his cricket with members of the current Pakistan side and also in Pakistan Super League (PSL) therefore he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the players.

While advising PCB to appoint another captain for Tests, Zaheer said PCB must relieve Sarfraz Ahmed as Test leader because leading in all three formats was burdening him.

“The captaincy of all three formats had resulted in the downfall of Sarfraz’s own performance, therefore he must be relieved from the duty of Test captaincy,” he said.

Commenting on former Pakistan captain and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif being top contender for the role of chief selector, Zaheer said if the board was considering appointing him for the job, than he must be made independent to take decisions as he hates interference in his work.

“Rashid was also offered the role of chief selector during [former PCB chairman] Najam Sethi’s tenure but he declined since he wanted to head the anti-corruption unit as well,” Zaheer pointed out.

Meanwhile, Zaheer lauded Sri Lanka for their willingness to tour Pakistan for three One-day Internationals and as many Twenty20 Internationals from late September.

Karachi’s National Stadium would host the ODI series from Sept 27, while the three T20s would be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the first game on Oct 5.

‘The PCB must focus on bringing world’s top sides such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England to the country. One visit from either of them can great help revive international cricket in the country once and for all,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2019