LAHORE, Aug 4: Former Australian skipper Greg Chappell expresses his faith in Pakistan team saying they could emerge top team of the world only if they exercise 100 per cent professionalism and achieve physical and mental toughness.
Chappell, who arrived here on his second 10-day assignment with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Wednesday, said that professional attitude in all the departments of the game was essential to build a strong team. Central contract system was also a step towards professionalism and it would make the player feel more secure, he said.
Chappell said that the reason Australians dominated the world of cricket was their talent and 100 percent professionalism. "They can dominate for next three to five years although it will not be an easy task," he said.
Drawing comparisons among different teams, he said that the Indians were improving fast but Pakistan could still give tough time to Australians. England, the traditional rival of Australia, were far from posing any real challenge to the Aussies.
The academy was necessary but it could only be beneficial to the game when supported by a strong domestic system, flawless cricket structure and ideal atmosphere, he said.
NCA's role should be (limited to) giving finishing touches to boys and all the national team members should also go through it, he said adding that since Australia had a strong domestic structure, the academy there had been producing talented players.
He urged on consistency in all the areas of the game and said that a player's responsible attitude was more important without which no coach could do anything. Chappell said that Pakistan must get benefit of the services of foreign expertise at different levels.
During his stay, Chappell will deliver lectures at the NCA and assist in preparing its syllabus. He will also assist the Pakistan team during the short training camp scheduled to start here from Aug 12. Chappell is visiting Pakistan at a time when most of the NCA students, who were attending Graduation Classes, are on the tour of Kenya with coach Aaqib Javed.