Ramiz fears for future of Pakistan cricket by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 23rd March 2007

 

Former captain Ramiz Raja said Thursday he feared for Pakistan's cricket future following the death of coach Bob Woolmer and Inzamam-ul-Haq's decision to resign as captain.

 

"All has gone haywire after the World Cup defeat. I fear for Pakistan cricket but I hope it gets back on track," Raja, also a former chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told AFP.

 

Raja is in the Caribbean as a television commentator watching at close range the events unfold with Pakistan losing to the West Indies in their first match and then crashing out of the tournament following an upset three-wicket defeat by Ireland.

 

The disastrous defeat was, however, overshadowed by Woolmer's death on Sunday, described as suspicious by Jamaican police after the Pakistan coach was found unconscious in his hotel room.

 

Inzamam then chose to quit one-day cricket and relinquish the captaincy.

 

He bid a tearful farewell following his team's consolation win over Zimbabwe at Sabina Park on Wednesday.

 

Raja believes Pakistan will have major problems in finding a new coach.

 

"After Woolmer's death, it will be difficult for Pakistan to find a foreign coach and they will have to rely on former home players," said Raja, who brought in Woolmer to counter the in-fighting within the team.

 

Raja was PCB chief executive when, after Pakistan's 3-2 defeat in the one-dayers and 2-1 in Tests against arch-rivals India in 2004, Woolmer replaced Javed Miandad.

 

"The whole idea behind bringing in Woolmer was to de-politicise the infighting and build confidence in the team which had evaporated as the team had divided into groups," explained Raja.

 

"I personally looked around and Bob was gracious enough to accept the challenge. It's true that coaching Pakistan is more stressful than any other team but Bob had accepted the challenge and, to his credit, united the team."

 

Raja said that Woolmer did not get the right kind of support.

 

"There were times when Bob got frustrated over the lack of support and there remained some flaws in the team - the opening combination, for example, could not have been settled. Still, he enjoyed Pakistan coaching."

 

South African fielding coach Jonty Rhodes believes Woolmer's legacy should be cashed in on by Pakistan.

 

"He (Woolmer) did some remarkable things with Pakistan cricket and I have seen good fielding talent in some of their youngsters. The work Woolmer did should be carried on," said Rhodes, who spent 15 days with the Pakistan team on Woolmer's invitation last year.

 

"Some of the Under-19 and Pakistan A team players were good fielders and they could be good additions. I noticed a vast improvement under Bob," said Rhodes who played under Woolmer when he coached South Africa between 1994-99.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)