Aaqib decides against applying for job of head coach

By our correspondents
April 07, 2016

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Former Test pacer says PCB committee is in favour of appointing foreign coach

KARACHI: When Waqar Younis resigned as Pakistan’s head coach earlier this week following his team’s poor showing in the ICC World Twenty20 championship, the general belief in the national cricket circles was that he would soon be replaced by Aaqib Javed.

Like Waqar, Aaqib is a former Pakistan Test pacer who is currently head coach of UAE’s national cricket team.

Aaqib, 43, had also confirmed his availability and had said that he was keen to take over as Pakistan’s coach.

However, on Wednesday Aaqib revealed that he won’t even be applying for the job after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited applications for the position of head coach.

Aaqib’s reason is that a two-member committee appointed by PCB to find Waqar’s replacement was in favour of hiring a foreign coach.

“I think that they (the Board) have made up their mind about hiring a foreign coach which is why I don’t think there is any reason why I should be applying for the job,” he said.

PCB has appointed former Test cricketers Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja in a committee that will help it find a suitable coach for the national cricket team.

It is understood that both Wasim and Ramiz support the idea of hiring a foreign coach.

However, Aaqib believes that Pakistan’s cricket chiefs should show more faith in home-grown coaches.

“Since 2004 we have invested a lot in education of coaches by training them. But when the time comes (when we can use them) then we decide to ignore local coaches and opt for foreign ones,” he said.

Aaqib warned that Pakistan will make a grave mistake if they decide in favour of appointing a foreign coach for their national team.

“Foreign coaches play in the hands of four or five senior players and then they leave after completing their two years,” he said.

“Tell me if even one foreign coach had been successful in his stint with Pakistan,” Aaqib asked.

Earlier this week, Aaqib has said that he was “definitely looking for the job” of Pakistan coach.

“I am definitely looking for this job if they consider me,” Aaqib, who has been working as head coach of the UAE since 2012, was quoted as saying by The National.

“I have worked really hard for the past 15 years, have learned a lot, and UAE has really helped me a lot.

“They rang me about a week ago and said ‘We are considering you as one of the candidates for the head coach job for the Pakistan team if Waqar goes’. I still believe I am one of the candidates.”

Aaqib left the role of bowling coach of the Pakistan national team to move to the UAE four years ago, and he says he is ready to rejoin the fold, if required.

“When I took over the UAE job, it was a brave decision,” he said. “Thanks to God, I am so satisfied we have achieved all the targets we had. This is what drives you forward.

“Previously I worked with the Pakistan team for three and a half years as the assistant coach and bowling coach.

“I have 15 years experienced and am the only Pakistani coach who started at the grassroots level, with under 15, 17 and 19 years, and spent a good time with the A team.”

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