Image courtesy of: The Hindu
Ul-Haq worked with the Pakistan team as a consultant in December
Pakistan batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq has insisted that he was never offered the opportunity to become the national team’s batting coach, despite working alongside many of the players as a consultant.
“This time no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has contacted me as yet regarding the batting coach position,” he said. “Many people are asking me about this but I’ve had no contact from the PCB.”
During his time as a consultant, ul-Haq helped the Pakistan team ready themselves for their limited overs clash against arch-rivals India in December last year.
“Inzamam was invited to travel with the team to India but declined as he had prior commitments with an Indian channel for the series,” an unnamed source said. “The board than asked him to accompany the team to South Africa.
“Unfortunately the PCB and Inzamam couldn’t reach an agreement so the former captain didn’t travel to South Africa.”
Ul-Haq has already been quick to state that the team are in desperate need of an experienced batting coach.
“I would say it should be someone who has lots of experience of playing international pressure games and someone who is respected in Pakistan cricket,” he said.
The 43-year-old was also disgusted with Pakistan’s “disgraceful” showing at the recently concluded Champions Trophy.
“We put up a disgraceful show in the tournament although we were expected to make the semi finals,” he said. “The players didn’t do justice to their green blazer and fans. It was a huge disappointment and at times difficult to watch. I think a number of players performed well below expectations and some of them did not do justice to the Pakistan shirt during the tournament.
“The batting was in absolute shambles and looked all at sea throughout the tournament. The line-up we had at the Champions Trophy is better than the totals made in England.”
However, ul-Haq also admitted to being surprised by Pakistan’s dismal performance as the team had been training for the tournament well in advance.
“They have problems of confidence and self belief and until these issues are sorted out they will never be consistent and fall under pressure,” he added. “[The] Pakistani batsmen looked as if they had been brought together a few days ahead of the tournament and given a bat for the first time.”
Ul-Haq also called on the national selectors to pick some new players for the West Indies series, which gets underway today.
“I don’t think we have enough time to now delay these hard decisions,” he said. “We need to give confidence to new and young players and not discard them after just a few matches. Give them time to settle down and show their mettle at the top level.
“No young cricketer can perform in circumstances when they play one game, are subsequently dropped and then brought back in the very next game.”