Pakistan coaching merry-go-round takes new turn

Tony Lawrence

Pakistan cricket coaches have never been blessed with long life expectancy.

On Monday, the latest optimistic incumbent is due to be named -- the ninth change of coach in four years.

Australian Daryl Foster is being touted as the favourite to lead the team for the two-Test tour to England in May.

Former England batsman Geoff Boycott also features among the contenders.

What seems certain, however, is that Pakistan will follow the example of England, India and Sri Lanka by opting for overseas expertise.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, who will also announce the tour squad on Monday, have confirmed that Foster is their main target to replace the ousted Javed Miandad.

The former Western Australia and Kent coach has impressed while helping Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar to remodel his action.

CLASH WITH PLAYERS

"I would say that our negotiations with Daryl Foster are moving in the right direction. Hopefully we will be able to finalise things before the team embarks on the tour to England," Tauqir Zia, chairman of the PCB, said.

Boycott, who has been linked with the job before, has been coaching Pakistan's top batsmen this season.

Precedent suggests, however, that whoever gets the job should not plan too far into the future.

Miandad was sacked earlier this month after reportedly clashing with the team's leading players. As a parting shot, he alleged that Pakistan had thrown a one-day series against New Zealand in February.

At least the former Test batsman lasted 13 months.

In 1999 alone, Pakistan tried five coaches.

FOREIGN COACHES

If Foster is appointed, the PCB will hope he can emulate the sport's other top foreign coaches.

Australian Dav Whatmore, now in his second stint with Sri Lanka, led the team to the 1996 World Cup, Englishman Bob Woolmer revitalised South Africa in a five-year tenure up to 1999 while New Zealander John Wright has just inspired India to an historic series win against Australia.

England have just won four series in a row for the first time for 22 years under the tutelage of Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher.

Pakistan, the 1992 World Cup winners, have had a foreign coach before but he lasted only three months.

English-born, South African-based Richard Pybus took over shortly after the 1999 World Cup but was sacked after the team were whitewashed 3-0 in their Test series in Australia.

Part of the reason for his downfall, he said, was the close relationship between the PCB and the Pakistani government.

"Whenever there's a change in government, there's a change in the make-up of the cricket board," he said. "And just as Pakistan's politics is so volatile, so is the running of cricket there."

RECENT PAKISTAN COACHES

June 1997: Ex-Test batsman Mushtaq Mohammad, in his second spell as coach, resigns following reports of a pay row. Former Test player Haroon Rasheed takes over.

April 1998: Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga is reportedly approached about the job.

August 1998: Haroon is replaced by Javed Miandad on a three-year contract.

May 1999: Miandad quits a fortnight before the World Cup. He cites family commitments but there are rumours of a rift with senior players. Mushtaq Mohammad is re-appointed but leaves after Pakistan reach the tournament final.

August 1999: The Pakistan Cricket Board says it has approached former South African coach Bob Woolmer. Former test all-rounder Wasim Raja, though, gets the job. Two months later he returns to being a geography teacher.

October 1999: Former Border coach Richard Pybus is promoted after helping to coach the World Cup side. He lasts three months as Pakistan lose 3-0 in their test series in Australia.

December 1999: Former Test wicketkeeper Intikhab Alam becomes the fifth coach of the year. It is his fourth tenure since 1980-81.

March 2000: Former South African batsman Barry Richards and Boycott are reportedly sounded out before Miandad gets his second chance at the job.

April 2001: Miandad, appointed to lead the team to the 2003 World Cup, goes. Again, there are reports of rifts with players. Foster, Boycott and former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar are touted as possible successors.

Mail Cricket Editor