Asif Iqbal, the former Pakistan Test captain and well-known cricket expert, has supported PCB’s appointment of Waqar Younis as a full-time coach for the senior team, in an exclusive discussion with PakPassion.net. Asif also suggested the need for three specialist coaches to assist Waqar.

By: Saj Sadiq and ShehryarK

The recent appointment of Waqar Younis as Pakistan’s full-time coach till the 2011 World Cup has caught many followers of the game by surprise. It was initially reported that the PCB was considering a foreign coach, and the eventual selection of Waqar, who is not a qualified or an experienced coach, has raised many an eyebrow.

PakPassion.net caught up with former Pakistan Test captain and well-known cricket pundit Asif Iqbal recently, in order to get an ‘expert opinion’ on Waqar’s appointment. Asif was very supportive of Waqar’s selection by the PCB, and felt that a local coach remains the most appropriate option in Pakistan’s unique circumstances. “The PCB were left with very little choice due to the lack of interest from foreign coaches, given the security situation in Pakistan. It was highly unlikely that a high profile foreign coach would have accepted the job”, was how Asif assessed the situation.

Asif also hinted at the relative lack of familiarity with the English language of some of the younger Pakistani players, and the problems a foreign appointment may have caused as a result. In his view, “it’s better for Pakistan cricket that a local coach has been appointed. The cultural differences would have been a major issue especially with the present bunch of boys”.

Asif, who represented Pakistan on 68 occasions in an international career that spanned 16 years, also commented on the concerns raised by Waqar’s relative inexperience and lack of coaching qualifications. These concerns, he felt, are not that relevant as Waqar's experience of playing cricket at the highest level is of more relevance. “Waqar doesn’t have any paper qualifications regarding coaching, but he has that crucial ingredient which is that he has played at the highest level and will have the key aspect which is the respect of the players”, Asif continued.

Asif was known through his playing years as one of the more intelligent players around, and someone who was renowned for his fighting abilities and his remarkable ‘into the valley of death’ innings whilst batting with the tail. As such, no better person than him for PakPassion.net to explore the impact of coaching on the modern Test player. “Test players don’t need coaching, as they are past the stage of being coached. They should have the basics in place. What they really need is someone who is a good man manager, can give them confidence, help with slight adjustments to their technique and help with the analysis of the opposition”, stated Asif.

The key priorities for Waqar Younis would thus be improving the morale of the team and ensuring the squad gels together as a team. In Asif’s view, “the new Pakistan coach needs to work on the man management side of things mainly as a priority in order to get out of the Pakistan squad. A happy Pakistan squad will be a successful one”. Asif also hopes that Waqar doesn’t get bogged down by the admin side of things and can be left to focus on the cricketing side.

Tony Greig, the former England captain and well-known cricket commentator, recently referred to Asif Iqbal as the fastest runner between the wickets he had ever come across; the contrast with the current Pakistani batsmen is thus remarkable, who are often berated for their poor running. Asif felt that this and all other areas’ of the team’s preparation would need specialist training and coaching regimes once Waqar takes over, and there should be three coaches to assist Waqar; a specialist batting coach, a fielding coach and a bowling coach.

When asked by PakPassion.net if he would be interested in taking on the role of PCB Chairman, Asif, the complete team man as a player and a batsman who was never accused of played for his average, again exhibited the intelligence for which he was renowned in his playing days, and said that he is quite happy spending time with his grandchildren in England.