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Journalism of Courage
ISLAMABAD, April 27: The feud between coach Javed Miandad and Pakistan cricket players came in the open today even as the highly-rated team left for England to participate in the World Cup.
Miandad, who surprised the cricket world with his sudden resignation after the recent highly successful tours of India, broke his silence on the reasons for his decision.
“I had no other choice as senior players were not taking me seriously,” he said. “It seemed even the Cricket Board was not doing so.”
In yet another twist to the controversy, media reports said veteran opener Saeed Anwar had made certain accusations in front of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday.
Miandad confirmed the reports but nobody is saying what he was accused of.
In his view, the complaint before the prime minister was planned and that Anwar had been asked by someone else to do that.
He said: “If some senior players don’t want me, I don’t think it would be in the best interests of the nation (for me) to accompany the team asan unwanted guest.”
The dejected coach explaining his resignation said, “I had no other choice as the senior players weren’t taking me seriously.”
He said, “it seems even the board is not taking me seriously or else they would have asked me to clear my position.”
Miandad also confirmed media reports that during the meeting with the prime minister, veteran opener Saeed Anwar accused him in front of everybody. “He (Anwar) should not have done this. He must have kept in mind that he was speaking to the prime minister and such personal matters should not be discussed on an occasion like this,” Miandad said.
Media reports had said that the issue was raised before the premier in anticipation that Nawaz Sharif, being a keen cricket follower would urge Miandad to withdraw his resignation and accompany the team to England.
Miandad, however, sought to bury the hatchet. “It is time to forget the issue. I wish all of you best of luck. Our team has proved itself to be one of the favourites for the WorldCup through its excellent performance in recent times. It has the weaponry of talent and unmatchable experience.”
But he warned any new change in strategy could prove disastrous. “I will strictly advise against any new techniques for the team.”
Captain Wasim Akram said: “We are on song, the morale is high and every player is looking forward to contributing his best.” (PTI)
Powell for Hooper
BRIDGETOWN: Ricardo Powell, a 20-year-old all-rounder who has yet to play a one-day match for his native Jamaica, will replace Carl Hooper on the West Indies squad for the World Cup.
Hooper, 32, unexpectedly announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday. He had been on the west indies team since 1987.
Powell is an attacking middle-order batsman, an off-spin bowler and brilliant fielder. But he has only played six first-class matches and has no experience in England.
“We will obviously miss Carl, who is an outstanding cricketer and had vast experience, not least playing for Kentfor many years,” manager Clive Lloyd said. “But this is a chance for of Powell to show his worth in the biggest tournament in world cricket.”
