Miandad to coach Pakistan till 2003 World Cup

Javed Miandad's tenure as Pakistan cricket team's coach has been extended until the 2003 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman General Tauqir Zia said Wednesday. "Since Miandad has produced results we want to give him a long term," Zia told AFP.

Miandad, 43, took over as coach after Pakistan lost two Tests in the home series against Sri Lanka last March. Pakistan won the last Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi with Miandad as coach and then lifted the Sharjah Cup triangular series and the first Asia Cup title in Dhaka.

He also led Pakistan to an away Test series victory against Sri Lanka. "It's a matter of continuity and consistency and I am sure it will pay," Zia said.

Pakistan has a history of sacking coaches, having dismissed five in the 1999-2000 season. Miandad's first tenure as coach ended abruptly when he resigned due to differences with senior players, a month before the 1999 World Cup.

Pakistan then sacked Mushtaq Mohammad, Wasim Raja, South African-based Richard Pybus and Intikhab Alam. General Zia denied Miandad had demanded a large fee for his services.

"Its baseless that he demanded a large amount, he will get as much as our most senior player gets," he said, refusing to disclose the amount.

Miandad, who has played 124 Tests and 233 one-dayers for Pakistan, said: "I will do my best to establish this team as a winning combination."

"I am planning to make a pool of 15 players and a strategy that if any player retires he should not be missed." Pakistan will play in a Singapore triangular series from August 20-27 against South Africa and New Zealand.

Mail Cricket Editor