Waqar slams discourteous PCB

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis slammed the attitude of the country's cricket authorities, saying they did not even have the courtesy to inform him about their decision against appointing a bowling coach.

"I am disappointed that we could not strike a deal. I wanted to serve the country and I will certainly work in future if provided with an opportunity," said Waqar, who has 414 One-Day International and 373 Test wickets to his credit.

"But what has saddened me more is the attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board. I never initiated the move of a bowling coach for the Pakistan cricket team. It was the PCB that started it all and when they decided they didn't want me, they did not have the courtesy to telephone me and inform me of their decision," the former captain said.

Waqar is the latest former Pakistan captain who has been "humiliated" by the cricket Board. Last year, another former skipper, Javed Miandad, was sacked as coach halfway through his two-year contract.

The master batsman later served a legal notice to PCB in which he has demanded an explanation for his ouster. Last week, former Test batsman Haroon Rasheed was dismissed as Pakistan team manager, when four months of his contract still remained.

"I came to know of the PCB decision when newsmen called me to take my reaction. I am extremely disappointed," Waqar said.

Pakistan on Thursday decided against appointing a bowling coach on a long-term basis, thus shooting down the proposal floated by Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who was manager of the 2003 World Cup team that was led by Waqar, had told newsmen after the ad hoc committee meeting that he wanted Waqar as bowling coach only for the Indian tour whereas the bowler was interested in a long term contract.

"Yes, I wanted a long-term contract because you need time to make things work. But there was never a mention of money at any stage," Waqar said.

"Frankly speaking, I think there were some people in the cricket Board who didn't want me as Pakistan bowling coach," he said, without elaborating but probably hinting at PCB Director (cricket operations) and manager designate for the Indian tour, Saleem Altaf, who had been quoted by Urdu newspaper Daily Express  earlier in the week that a bowling coach is unlikely to be appointed.

Javed Miandad sympathised with Waqar saying the bowler is fully justified in asking for a long term contract.

"I think Waqar was justified in asking for a long term contract. Every professional will ask for proper time. In addition to this, which professional works for two months or three months?

"Let the PCB first explain if they wanted a bowling coach and if they really wanted it, then Waqar Younis was the best choice. Not appointing him means they [PCB] were themselves unsure," Miandad added.