Alarmed Imran wants bowling coach

23 Mar, 2004

With the famed Pakistan bowling coming under flak in the on-going one-day series, legendary cricketer Imran Khan called for appointing a bowling coach for the team if it was to win the Test series against India.
"If Pakistan wants to win the series against India they must appoint either Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis or Aaqib Javed as bowling coach who will overcome the weaknesses in Pakistan bowling which has let them down in the one-day series," said the former speed king.
Alarmed at the number of extras being conceded by the bowlers in the one-dayers, Imran said the extras can not only spoil the good work in one-dayers but also in Test matches.
"The way the Pakistani bowlers are conceding extras is unforgivable. You get a batsman out off a no-ball is equally destructive in a one-day game as well as in a Test match," said Imran, who took 362 wickets in 88 Test matches to establish himself as one of the greatest fast bowlers ever.
Imran said in the event of Wasim and Waqar being unable to devote time, Aaqib Javed could be approached for the job. "If Wasim and Waqar are not available I think Aaqib can be the best choice as he has been working with juniors who won the junior World Cup recently and he has given good results."
Wasim has taken a world record of 502 one-day and 414 Test wickets, Waqar 373 Test and 416 one-day wickets and Aaqib 54 Test and 181 one-day wickets and all three played and mellowed under Imran in late 80s and early 90s.
Not always on good terms with current coach Javed Miandad, Imran denied he was after Miandad's post. "I have nothing to do with Miandad's post, he has been doing well and suggesting a bowling coach does not mean I have anything against Miandad," Imran said.
"I am suggesting a bowling coach from my observation that Miandad, captain Inzamam-ul Haq and manager Haroon Rasheed are all batsmen and they would not be able to know all the problems a bowler is facing."
Pointing out that India had gained an upper hand ahead of the decider, he said "by winning yesterday's match from nowhere India has gained a psychological advantage and Pakistan will be under more pressure, come Wednesday."

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