ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector and head coach Mohsin Hasan Khan comes down hard on Wasim Akram for criticising former greats for not applying for the coaching job.
Talking to The Nation, Mohsin reacted angrily against Wasim’s statement published in a section of press and termed the entire stance baseless. “The matter of the fact is that Najam Sethi in his TV show had made it very clear that Wasim and Ramiz were not given responsibility of finding a coach for the national team, as they roamed around different countries for commentary. They were asked to search for a suitable coach and give their recommendations. It was made clear to both gentlemen that the PCB would have final say on whom to be appointed as head coach of the national team.”
Mohsin said he had made it clear that he would not submit application to Wasim or Ramiz. “I never said that I would not appear for interview. Off course, I had detailed discussion with PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan, who highly lauded my work and on his request, I emailed him and show my willingness to coach the national team. I was even ready to work as mentor or director cricket.”
“I highly regard Aaqib Javed, as he is a thorough gentleman and I fully endorse his stance that Wasim and Ramiz had made up their minds of appointing a foreign coach, so why should we waste our time and for us, it is also below dignity. We are proven stuff and we don’t need to beg,” he added.
Mohsin said Wasim questioned mindset of not only him but also others, who didn’t submit application for national team coaching. “My answer to Wasim is very simple, that my mindset about coaching national team is crystal clear, which my records also speak themselves. I don’t need certificates from Wasim and others in this regard. My tenure is a perfect and classic example for all those, who want relaxation on discipline and ready to compromise. During my stint as chief selector and coach, discipline was exemplary both on and off the field due to the players’ cooperation and their performance.
“Stop giving lame excuses, they are not patriotic Pakistanis. I am against tainted persons, who inflicted a huge embracement for both Pakistan cricket and people of Pakistan,” he added.
Condemning strongly the statement of Wasim regarding compromise on discipline, Mohsin said great teams and countries never compromise on discipline. “Australia dropped star all-rounder Andrew Symonds, while English star Kevin Petersen, who had captained England, was dropped by ECB over disciplinary issues. All the great coaches and captains never ever think beyond dignity, great Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Hanif Muhammad, Imran Khan and others are perfect examples, who always put country way ahead and never ever compromised on discipline.”
He said he respected all the seniors and juniors from the core of his heart, but he had absolutely no sympathies with the tainted persons. “How can they question our commitment and sincerity with the country. The report of Justice Qayyum is clear evidence about their involvement in bad activities, they just came to Pakistan to earn money and had no love for Pakistan cricket rather just enjoy their spare time and try to mint as much money as they can from the PCB.”
“I warned all these so-called cricketing greats to mind their language and stop giving childish and absolutely rubbish statements against the proven ones. I can say a lot of things, but I don’t want to waste my time on such proven tainted and guilty persons. I had always retreated my desire to help Pakistan cricket in the best possible manner. Now Arthur is appointed as head coach, and my sincere wishes and prayers are with him and the national team. I hope he would take Pakistan cricket to new heights. As patriotic Pakistanis, we always stand by our national interest rather than personal ones,” Mohsin concluded.
