Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Habib Bank and former Pakistan bowler Shahid Nazir stated that he was not in favour of specialist coaches on overseas tours.

by Saj Sadiq

2nd January 2010

Following hot on the heels of Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf's recent statement that a fielding coach would not be beneficial for the Pakistan team. Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Habib Bank and former Pakistan pace bowler Shahid Nazir stated that he too was not in favour of specialist coaches on overseas tours.

"My personal opinion is that batting and bowling coaches are not exactly needed. In the off season (when the team comes home or when there is a gap of a week or two), yes the players should work-out with batting and bowling coaches. On tours though, I don’t think so many people are needed. A coach is already travelling with the team. I don’t think there’s an additional need of a batting coach or a bowling coach" stated Shahid. 

32 year old Nazir is currently part of the Habib Bank squad taking part in the Pentangular Cup and has played for Pakistan on 32 occasions, the last time being in Cape Town in January 2007 and he feels that international players should make full use of the Academies and the coaches working there rather than relying so heavily on specialist coaches.

"There’s already an academy in place, and Aqib Javed is a very good bowling coach working on the bowlers there" added Shahid.
 

Pakistan currently have a plethora of coaches overseeing team affairs in Australia. Intikhab Alam is the head coach, while former Pakistan fast bowling legend Waqar Younis was recently appointed bowling/fielding coach for the tour of Australia, although there is still much confusion as to whether Waqar will be appointed on a long term basis.

As well as Intikhab and Waqar, Aaqib Javed is also assisting with coaching duties on the tough tour of Australia, although there has been no official clarification on Aaqib's job specification since Waqar's appointment.

There has also been much speculation recently as to whether a specialist fielding coach will be appointed by the PCB for future tours, although Mohammad Yousuf has voiced his concerns over this issue. However there remains certain quarters with Pakistan cricket who are of the opinion that a specialist batting coach is the priority, especially given the poor recent batting displays in New Zealand and Australia.