Miandad quits as Board bowls a wrong’un

Agency reports from Karachi quoting the former Pakistan captain say that he has resigned because of “pressing family commitments”. Miandad said he had faxed his resignation to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood in Lahore.

Sources in Pakistan say that negotiations with Pybus were the main cause of the rift between Miandad and the PCB. Despite opposition from Ali Bacher, the Managing Director of United Cricket Board of South Africa, Pybus is believed to have told the PCB that he was “very much available” and “willing to work with the Pak team.”

Though there has been no official comment from Khalid Mahmood or any other PCB officials, it seems that Miandad’s long-running problems with Wasim Akram was one of the reasons for hiring Pybus. Though Miandad had been appointed coach, senior players led by Akram, and including Salim Malik, who was brought back for the World Cup, Ijaz Ahmed and Waqar Younis were opposed to Miandad.

The rift started when Miandad accused senior players, including some of the above mentioned names in a court during the hearings on match-fixing and bribery charges. Despite outward calm, relationships had become strained beyond repair, say sources who accompanied the Pak team. But with the team winning in India and Sharjah, things seemed to have stabilised, at least till the World Cup.

However, reportedly a major verbal duel broke out between Akram and Miandad after Pakistan’s surprise defeat at the hands of England in Sharjah. The players led by Akram lodged a complaint about Miandad’s behaviour with Khalid Mahmood, who was present in Sharjah. Mahmood, a long-time supporter of Akram, even at the height of match-fixing controversies, is believed to have stuck his neck out in the selection committee meetings and backed Akram as skipper for World Cup.

Reuters, quoting Pakistani newspapers, said players were said to be upset because Miandad reportedly did not share a 50,000 dirham ($13,570) gift from a Pakistan businessman after Pakistan beat India in the Sharjah final.

“The allegations are baseless. But the reports that have been published clearly indicate they (players) don’t want me,” Miandad was quoted as saying. “If that’s what they want, I don’t want them either.”

Akram himself is believed to have been involved in suggesting Pybus’ name to the PCB. He had met Pybus through a common friend and the two hit it off. Akram suggested Pybus’ name soon after Miandad was appointed coach. Even then it seemed Miandad might be the chief coach and Pybus his assistant. An AFP report from East London in South Africa said that Pybus was leaving for Pakistan on Friday.

A former Minor Counties player for Suffolk, Pybus, 34, moved to South Africa in 1991 and coached Selborne College, a leading cricket school in East London. Among his successes was the development of current Test and World Cup wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

PCB chairman Mahmood was quoted in Dawn as saying: “The PCB and Pakistan cricket team dressing room is a family and I don’t want to discuss things which the public shouldn’t know.”