With the under-19 cricket World Cup just over a month away, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked former Test skipper, Javed Miandad, to guide the country’s younger lot during their conditioning camp here. “Javed is not appointed as batting consultant, but he has been asked to work with the under-19 players before they leave for Australia,” one of the PCB officials said. He added that Miandad has also been told to work with the senior team, ahead of their ODI series against Australia in UAE next month, once they return from Sri Lanka.
“Javed is without any doubt one of the greatest batsman produced by Pakistan and since he is employed with the Board everyone feels he is the best man to work and offer some guidance to the batsmen at any level,” a PCB official said. He said although former Test batsmen Haroon Rasheed and Sabih Azhar were attached with the under-19 team, the feeling was that Miandad could do a lot to improve the batting skills of the players. There has been a growing concern in Pakistan that why former cricketing greats don’t work or are not asked to work with the junior teams. Miandad has been working with the Board as director cricket since 2008, but since Zaka Ashraf took charge as Chairman last year he has been given more responsibilities. The veteran of 124 Tests has coached the senior team during three different stints, but on each occasion either has resigned or was released due to issues with the establishment. Many former players have suggested that Miandad should be appointed batting consultant with the senior team, a position the former great has rejected time and again. Pakistan colts play Afghanistan in their World Cup opener on August 11.
