Ending days of speculation about the future of coach Javed Miandad after the team's debacle against India, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to continue with his services, saying it does not want to set a bad precedent by sacking the coach every time the team loses.
"Miandad will continue to be the coach of the national team till the expiry of his contract, that is the start of the next year," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said.
Pakistan's first-ever defeat to India on home soil in the one-dayers and Tests in March-April had led to speculation that the axe would fall on the coach and skipper Inzamam-ul Haq, but the PCB, having learnt lessons from past mistakes, has decided to continue with both.
"It would not be just to judge the coach on the result of just one series. Nobody can blame the coach alone for the series defeat against India," he was quoted as saying in Islamabad daily The News.
"There is no need to panic and there is no need to change the coach or captain on the performance of just one series," he said.
The PCB chief also said henceforth captains would be appointed on series-to-series basis instead of a fixed term as is the case now.
The decision would mean Inzamam's stint as captain would be up for review after the Asia Cup in July in Sri Lanka.
"We announced Inzamam as captain of the Pakistan team till the Asia Cup. The trend will now change to announcing the captain on series to series basis," Shahrayar said while asserting that the coach would continue to work for fixed terms.
The decision to continue with Miandad's services follows a month-long period of uncertainty in which the former batsman-turned-coach publicly expressed resentment.
Shaharyar had earlier confirmed the services of captain
Inzamam ul-Haq but remained non-committal about Miandad.
On the controversy about nominating young fast bowler Mohammad Sami to represent Pakistan at a function in England to unveil the ICC Champions Trophy while ignoring the captain and senior players, Shaharyar said Sami was named following a request from the ICC.
"In fact, a request came from the ICC that Sami be sent for the function and that is why he was nominated."
Shaharyar said he was surprised that speedster Shoaib Akhtar had started playing for county side Durham without taking proper rest for his injury.
"Shoaib might have his reasons...however, he has been asked to get back to the PCB in writing and narrate the reasons why he started playing for the county at a time when he was asked to take rest."
