The facts relating to the Chairman's comment reported completely out of context by the Dawn correspondent are as follows:

While attending a gathering of women cricketers at the National Cricket Academy on December 24, journalists began asking questions about the Perth Test. One of the local journalists remarked that after the Rawalpindi Test against India, the Chairman had used harsh words at the team's lack of fighting spirit. The correspondent asked if the Chairman would do the same for Perth and fire Woolmer, "as you had fired Miandad," after the India series loss. The Chairman corrected the correspondent by replying that it was wrong to state that Miandad had been replaced for the series loss and 'other factors' had been considered in replacing Miandad by Woolmer. This remark has been taken out of context and blown out of proportion.

As stated at the time, Woolmer's hiring was based on the need to move to a more scientific and technological method of coaching the national team. This policy of hiring highly qualified coaches has been adopted by every cricket playing country from New Zealand (Bracewell) to West Indies (King) and includes all four Asian countries (Whatmore, Dyson, Wright), England (Fletcher), Australia (Buchanan) and South Africa (Jennings). Famous cricketers like Gary Sobers, Viv Richards and Kapil Dev have been tried and replaced by highly qualified coaches with proven credentials and with no outstanding record in Test or even first-class cricket. No denigration of Miandad's known inspirational method was intended then or now. In fact, he was invited to use these qualities to inspire the younger generation of Pakistani cricketers. PCB continues to hold Miandad in esteem for his cricketing qualities. Incidentially the decision to hire Woolmer was made by the Advisory Council who voted unanimously in favour of the change.

Ateeq Abdul Rauf
Media Department

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Pakistan Cricket Board)