Mohsin laments Waqar’s appointment as head coach

[Unsaid words]

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former player and coach Mohsin Hasan Khan expressed his resentment over the process of appointing Waqar Younis as the Pakistan team’s head coach on a two-year contract.

The 59-year-old Mohsin, who had also applied for the same position, echoed his sentiments in a press conference at the Karachi Club Annexe.
“If the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had planned to appoint Waqar, then they shouldn’t have advertised for the position in the first place,” said Mohsin.
“I wouldn’t have had any reservations against the board’s decision had they handpicked Waqar as the best candidate which would’ve made things clearer.
“The process of shortlisting candidates and then to have their interviews was not followed here. It’s like fooling people just like back in Zaka Ashraf’s tenure, when I was removed in the name of bringing a qualified coach.”

Mohsin has represented Pakistan in 48 Tests, scoring 2709 runs at an average of 37.10. He also appeared in 75 ODIs, managing 1877 runs at an average of 26.81.
Apart from playing for Pakistan, he has served the country’s cricket in the capacity of junior selector, chief selector and head coach of the national team, also having looked after the Pakistan U19 and A teams in his versatile career.
During his coaching tenure, Pakistan experienced resounding success against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while the nation also went onto whitewash the then number one Test side, England, with a 3-0 victory.
Despite having worked with Waqar previously in the PCB, the former opener stressed that the PCB should not include tainted players who were reported in the Justice Malik Qayyum report — which had named Waqar among others in corruption cases.
He added that PCB officials back in late the 1990s should have acted upon the Justice Qayyum findings which would have gone a long way in eradicating corruption in Pakistan cricket. In his view, setting a strong example at that point would not have allowed the likes of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif to commit similar sins.
Mohsin disappointed with PCB chairman
Mohsin indicated that he may go to the court to seek justice against the process of Waqar’s appointment.
“It’s not only about me, it’s about all applicants and if the need arises, I’ll go to the court as well,” he said.
“I respect PCB Chairman Najam Sethi as he is a top-class journalist and there was a feeling that Pakistan cricket would improve under him; however, I’ve been disappointed so far,” he stated, adding that he will not work under a junior cricketer.
Interviewing candidates is not compulsory: PCB official
A PCB official, while commenting on the subject, explained that it is not compulsory to call shortlisted candidates for an interview because if the PCB feels that a single candidate is good enough, then the board has the right to appoint him directly.
“If the board feels that someone is better than the other competitors, it has the right to appoint him directly,” said the official.