Abu Dhabi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are in the final stages of naming a fulltime coach for their team but back here, their interim coach Mohsin Khan seems to be making a silent but strong statement with the team’s consistent success.
After Pakistan’s sensational series win over England, Khan was lifted by his players and the former opening batsman said that was perhaps the greatest gift he has received from the team. “I am proud of my team and the moment when we won and then the players lifted me and celebrated the win. That was the biggest gift I could have from my players,” said Khan, who was also behind the selection of players like Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq when he was the chief selector.
“When I came as coach, I knew that this team has talent in abundance so my first priority was to make them mentally and physically strong and the fact that they are now very strong mentally can be judged by the manner in which Ali and Shafiq batted and helped us set that 145-run target,” said Khan.
“I selected both and some other players when I was the chairman of selectors and I and my committee faced a lot of criticism but we thought these boys have talent and I was never worried. I believe that a player who comes on merit should play, a player should demand and deserve his place in the team,” he said adding, “now we want to have a back-up of players for the future.”
While refusing to comment on his replacement, Khan said: “What Mohsin Khan is today is because of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. My services are always there for my country but I don’t want anybody to take me for granted.”
The former star, who was known for his dashing batting as well as his filmstar looks, feels Pakistan cricket can go all the way to the top. “I think this team has the capacity to become the world’s best team. Our target should be to gradually come in the top three in both Tests and ODIs and then gradually push for the world number one spot. We have been proving ourselves but we still have to play and do well in other parts of the world.”
Taking at dig at critics, Khan said: “When we won against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, people said they were weaker teams. But now we have won against the best. The kind of firepower they exuded has been unseen in the team in the past and we have in fact won a match which was almost lost on Saturday.”
