Miandad opts out of NZ tour to avoid confusion

KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain and current batting coach Javed Miandad has refused to travel to New Zealand with the national team, saying that he believes coach Waqar Younis should have complete authority in team matters.

Miandad, who was recently roped in as Pakistans batting and fielding consultant, was offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board to be a part of the touring party which will leave for New Zealand on Dec 17 to play three T20 Internationals, two Tests and six One-day Internationals.

“I refused to travel with the team only to avoid conflicts in the coaching department,” Miandad told reporters in Lahore.

“Younis is the head coach and should be in command. Players need to follow him instead of getting confused over the presence of another coach.”

Miandad, who is serving as PCBs director general, said that its Waqars duty to chalk out the teams strategy.

I am a very strong believer that in cricket one must follow one approach to avoid confusion and with two people for the same purpose, it doesnt help. I believe that its Waqars duty to coach the team and make all the strategies.