KARACHI, 17 June 2004 — Pakistan appointed Englishman Bob Woolmer as coach in place of Javed Miandad yesterday.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan told a news conference that the former South Africa coach would take charge on July 2.
“He is one of the finest and most respected coaches in the cricket world and we are hoping he will bring about a positive change in the performances of our team. We are looking at him as a long-term investment,” he said.
Khan added that Miandad had asked to be released from his two-year contract, which had 11 months to run.
Pakistan lost a home series against India in April, sparking much media criticism of Miandad and his players.
It was the third time that Miandad had been replaced as national coach since 1998.
Woolmer, who played Test cricket for England, will be Pakistan’s seventh coach in the last 10 years and their second from overseas. Richard Pybus, another Englishman with South African connections, was sacked after the 2003 World Cup.
Miandad told Reuters that he had reached an agreement with the board a few days ago.
“I didn’t know they were bringing in Woolmer. But I knew it was a foreign coach. I wish him the best of luck in his assignment which is going to be a tough one,” Miandad said.
“I just hope that the team does better under Woolmer, who has got a very high profile reputation.”
Khan said Miandad would continue to serve as national cricket adviser.
Woolmer coached South Africa for five years up to the 1999 World Cup before taking over as the International Cricket Council’s high performance director, helping to develop cricket outside the Test-playing nations.
Woolmer, 55, said in South Africa: “It’s no secret that Pakistan has an incredible stream of raw talent and that they have often failed to do themselves justice in recent years.
“My challenge is to help them maximize their potential and become more consistent. The immediate aim will be to get to know the players personally, understand how they think and train and become sympathetic to their culture.”
