KARACHI - Pakistan head coach Dav Whatmore is hoping to end his tenure with the team on a high note as the side left for a gruelling series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.
"The way the team played in South Africa I am pretty confident I will be able to end my contract with Pakistan cricket on a high and winning note and go out a satisfied man," the former Australian player said before team departure on Wednesday. Whatmore and the PCB announced recently a mutual parting of ways after the Australian's two year contract ends in February, 2014.
Whatmore has confirmed he will not be seeking an extension of his contract. Despite being criticised by many former players and critics, Whatmore said he was very satisfied with what he had achieved with the Pakistan team. "I know everyone has his view and opinion but personally I think it was a good run for me and the team. That one Test series loss in South Africa triggered off a testing time for us but the players came back strongly in South Africa in the one-day series," he said.
Whatmore, who took over as head coach in March, 2012 after Pakistan had whitewashed England in a Test series said Pakistan cricket had lot of talent and they were some quality players in the national side who would take the team forward in future. "Pakistan has in recent times discovered some exciting new talent which is a good sign for Pakistan cricket. I have had a good experience with the team and players and we communicated well with each other and enjoyed each other's company," he said.
"I had to take this difficult decision to take a break from international coaching for a while to spend more time with my family which I have been unable to do in the last two years due to our hectic schedule," Whatmore said.
The coach said he was viewing the coming series against Sri Lanka with great interest as he wanted to see the team win a Test series under him. "Not being able to win a Test series in four attempts is a setback but I have given 100 percent to my job and I will continue to do that," he added.
Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup title said, the Asia Cup title win last year and a one-day series win in India last December stood out as good memories for him. Whatmore said ending his contract with a series win over Sri Lanka would be a fantastic farewell for him as the Lankans were a formidable side in conditions found in the UAE.
Pakistan will play two Twenty20s, five ODIs and three Tests against Sri Lanka from December 11 to January 16 after featuring in a one-off T20 match against Afghanistan on December 8.