LAHORE, June 16: Former coach Javed Miandad said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to replace him with Bob Woolmer was not surprising. Reacting to the news of his sacking, Miandad said: "I have told the PCB chairman that under the existing contract signed in April 2003, I am unable to continue with the Pakistan team," he said.

The former great said that he had foreseen what was in store for him when he was offered a job at the academy. "Yes, I was offered a job at the academy but I asked them (PCB) it may come later, first tell me if you are ready to give me powers as a coach," he said.

On one hand the board has replaced Miandad who has been complaining about lack of say in selection, while on the other it has decided to retain Inzamam, with full powers to select the team as captain.

"I coached all the stuff which was handed over to me by the selection committee. It was a team in rebuilding stage after the World Cup 2003 debacle, still they had many achievements during this brief period."

Miandad who came under fire over Pakistan's defeat to India, called the reaction unfair with regard to rivals' strength. He said that the Advisory Council had invited him to Wednesday's meeting in Karachi but he decided to stay away.

"It was unethical to announce Woolmer's appointment and his sacking in one breath," he regretted. "It is unfair that you have one person under contract and bargain with another for the same post.

They should have taken me into confidence and announced Woolmer's appointment after two or three days," he said. He said that the PCB had already tried foreign coaches. Let them make try another one, he said while referring to the hiring of Richard Pybus twice in the past.