Former Pakistan off-spinner Iqbal Sikandar feels political interference
is keeping away the country's former cricketers from taking up the job of national
coach.
Sikandar, training the Asian Cricket Council's players from seven countries at
the MRF Pace Foundation here, said politicians often influence the selection process
in Pakistan.
"In Pakistan, the politicians are known for forcing their
way into everything. They would telephone and insist on getting their boys picked
for the national team whether they deserve a berth or not," Sikandar said.
"Though communication problems do exist among former players, the main
cause for them not volunteering to take up the job as coach is the political
interference," he added.
Sikander, however, believes a foreign coach would be immune
to this problem.
"This (interference) has been the problem for former cricketers, who will
not have a choice but a foreigner will not allow such interference.
"There is a clamour for a foreigner to do the job and
Dav Whatmore is the right person to put Pakistan back to their winning
ways," he said.
Sikandar said Whatmore was capable of changing fortunes of
their cricketing side.
"Whatmore has not played as many Test matches as Greg
Chappell. But Greg was not successful with the Indian team. Whatmore is one
of the best amongst the coaches available in the cricketing world today. He
never seeks media attention but makes sure that players are on their toes always,"
he added.
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