‘Local coaches are judgemental’: Pakistan players tell Ramiz Raja

Pakistan players have voiced their opinion against local coaches in a meeting with Ramiz Raja, who is set to become the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman, ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan squad believes that local coaches are judgemental and players are reluctant to discuss their issues with them.  

“One of the points raised by the players was the attitude of local coaches and in particular how judgemental they are. The players carry a constant sense that a local coach will use their weaknesses against them rather than working with them to rectify it. The communication with coaches about that problem then becomes a reason for players to be axed, according to one player, which further inhibits talking to them about it,” the report said.

After the resignation of Head Coach Misbahul Haq and Bowling Coach Waqar Younis, the PCB is keen on appointing a foreign head coach as the former’s replacement.

Ex-England cricketer Peter Moores is among the candidates for the role of head coach, according to sources. Moores has twice served as the England national men’s team head coach, in the past.

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Meanwhile, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is also in the mix to join the coaching staff as Younis’ replacement.

It must be noted that Mahmood is currently the fast-bowling coach of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s reigning champions Multan Sultans.

With the New Zealand side due to arrive on 11 September for the three ODI and five T20I series and the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on 8 September, the PCB has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series, with the team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course.