KARACHI, Sept 26: National team coach Bob Woolmer has received support from the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Mohammad Khan, who expressed confidence in the Englishman's abilities.
"I have no doubt that Woolmer will do wonders for Pakistan cricket in the months to come," Mr Khan told Dawn here on Sunday. "His presence has already started producing the desired results. If you notice, fielding has improved considerably and there is a marked improvement in other areas as well."
When reminded that under Woolmer, who took over from the sacked Javed Miandad in June, Pakistan had failed to win any of the three recent tournaments - the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, the three-nation series in the Netherlands and the ICC Champions Trophy in England - Mr Khan refused to lay the blame on the coach.
"Let him settle down in our system. We should be patient before expecting great things from him in days to come. Moreover, we have a understanding with Woolmer that he will be around until the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies," he remarked.
Mr Khan, who had been away during the past month, said that unpredictable batting collapse was the reason behind Pakistan's defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at Southampton. "I think our boys should learn from the West Indians as to how to overcome odds. The way (Courtney) Browne and (Ian) Bradshaw batted in Saturday's final is something one should be very proud of."
Mr Khan also confirmed that the performance of Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq will be reviewed after the tour of Australia early next year. "Although Inzamam has so far done a reasonable job, we still feel that his position as the Pakistan captain needs to be looked at after the Australian tour."
Inzamam, only the second player to reach 10,000 runs in ODIs during Champions Trophy match against India last Sunday, has been in prolific form since taking over captaincy from Rashid Latif a year ago.
Meanwhile, Mr Khan said the PCB was worried by the ongoing dispute over TV rights that could affect the coverage of the forthcoming triangular tournament and the two Tests.
Representatives of the two Dubai-based television channels, who both secured broadcasting rights for Pakistan cricket last year for US$43 million until 2008, are scheduled to appear in Lahore Lahore High Court on Monday in a bid to resolve the issue.
"They have gone to the court and it is possible that one party might agree to something and the other opposes it. In that case, it could affect the telecast of the series," Mr Khan commented.
"It is a mutual conflict between the two groups and not with us. They were partners when they secured the rights but now have developed differences which do not involve us," he added.
"As far the PCB is concerned, we prefer to take a neutral stance. But if they don't reach a compromise then we worry that telecast of series could be in jeopardy."