LAHORE - Former Pakistan cricket team captain and team manager Moin Khan Sunday said that he was boss during the Zimbabwe tour and he could interfere wherever it would be required.
Talking to the media here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Moin said: “Having been a cricketer, I think it’s important for me to attend matches at the ground. I am the team manager so I will try to help the team as much as possible at the ground. If there is a specific requirement for coaching then I will interfere, otherwise, I think everyone should stick to the roles delegated to them and their job descriptions.”
When asked whether he is interested in coaching job after Dav Whatmore’s contracts with board ends, the team manager said: “There’s a long time before Whatmore’s contract ends and this is for the first time that I have been involved with the Pakistan team so let’s see. As you know I also run my own academy so it will not be easy. Things will need to settle down and I don’t think this is the time for me to comment. For now, I feel Whatmore is doing his job and the board will make a decision when his contract ends.”
To another query regarding criticising head coach Whatmore for poor show, he replied: “We always criticise naturally when someone does not perform well in the job given to him. If he continues to do so then I will need to interfere as this is the job given to me by the PCB chairman. As I am the boss of this touring team, I can always interfere but I will not criticise the coach in the media. The only reason to criticise someone in the media is to help someone improve, and being a Pakistani and an ex-captain, it’s my duty to give constructive criticism. Whenever I have spoken in the media, I have always tried to give constructive criticism so the coach can get the positive message.”
“The boss can interfere with anything to do with the team and the boss is the manager. I am the chairman of the selection committee and the tour manager, so I can interfere wherever I feel something is not being done right,” he added.
Talking about the team selection for Zimbabwe tour, the former captain said: “I think an excellent team has been selected. They are excellent and sensible players. As far as my interaction goes with the boys, they just need to work on their sense of responsibility and I don't think we can enforce anything on them to maintain discipline. They are all cricketers and they all need a comfort level, which I am ready to give them. However, I will not compromise on discipline and the SOPs of discipline and if anyone violates this, I will not tolerate it.”
Talking about complacency setting in for Zimbabwe tour, he said: “Yes, they are a weak team but I don't see it that way. I remember my bad experience from 1999, I was the vice-captain of the World Cup team and we lost to Bangladesh. There were many stories after that about the loss, but personally I felt we took them too lightly, that's why we lost that match. Since that day I have learned the lesson, despite the ability of your opponent, never underestimate them because on that day any team can have an edge on you.”
Replying to a question regarding team discipline and dealing with such issues, Moin said: “As a manager, there will be no disciplinary issues. If you're asking about Sarfraz Ahmed's performance, then please ask the selectors.”
He said everyone knew Pakistan was going through a delicate phase as far as cricket was concerned. “There's no international cricket and the earlier spot-fixing cases were bad. So this is not just about me, but I request all the media as well to take responsibility and avoid creating unnecessary things because that is what is best for the nation. I will do my best to make sure there will be no violations that ruin the name of Pakistan cricket again. “Overnight, it is impossible to create results. It takes time and people will come. But, I am sure that all the cricketers are doing a lot of hard work and through this you will get quality cricketers,” he said.
To another query regarding Umar Akmal's fitness issues, Moin said: “Umar Akmal's report came from the West Indies and was a doctor's report. The selectors decided that Sarfaraz Ahmed is to be taken with the team and I don't know what condition Umar is in. Once he comes back he will be examined. Sohaib Maqsood is fit and I hope he will deliver.”
Meanwhile, the training camp of the cricket team concluded here at the NCA and the team left for Zimbabwe Sunday night.