Javed hoping for ex-batsman as next UAE head coach

Denzil Pinto 03:54 02/05/2016
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  • Captain’s wishlist: Amjad Javed.

    UAE Twenty20 captain Amjad Javed believes an international batsman who has retired within the last three years should be appointed as head coach in order to address the team’s batting issues.

    The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) are searching for a new man to replace Aaqib Javed, who will step down after four years in charge at the end of this month.

    This year, the UAE have struggled with the bat despite beating Afghanistan, Oman and Hong Kong to claim the only automatic berth in the Asia Cup in February. Amjad, Mohammad Shahzad, Rohan Mustafa, Laxman Sreekumar, Shaiman Anwar and Mohammed Usman are the only five to hit half-centuries in any of the UAE’s 15 matches.

    While all-rounder Amjad hailed the 1992 World Cup winner’s contribution, the 35-year-old feels it would be ideal to look for someone who has played in all three formats and knows what it takes to succeed at the crease.

    “I’d prefer if the head coach was a batsman,” said Amjad after the UAE team were honoured for their achievement in qualifying for the Asia Cup at the Shyam Bhatia Cricket Awards in Dubai.

    “The team’s recent performances show that we are not good in the batting department. I feel the coach should be recently retired within the last three years and have played in T20s, ODIs and Tests. I don’t think it will be a struggle to find someone with those requirements. There are cricketers in England and Asia who have played all formats of the game.”

    Javed’s thoughts were certainly a departure from several others in UAE cricket, who have felt that the most important thing would be that the coach was from the Indian sub-continent, given the number of players in the UAE national team from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

    Javed also believes that following UAE’s recent performances, the ECB will not find it difficult to attract good names to coach the team, adding: “You can easily find coaches who would be interested in coaching the UAE after watching the Asia Cup and would, in fact, be eager to come here.”

    Amjad also believes it would be ideal if the ECB hires an assistant with a bowling background.

    “If you have a batsman as head coach and an assistant as bowling coach, it’s much easier as it means they can give their expertise in their areas,” he added.

    While he believes the departure of Aaqib will be a big loss to the side, he insists whoever comes in will find a group of players who are hungry for success.

    “The way the UAE is performing today is because of Aaqib bhai. He has set the benchmark for everyone and we know the players have to work hard to represent the national team,” he said. “The next coach who does come in will see the team is in good shape and a group that is motivated to do well against international sides.

    “When you get a good team working together well, no player will want to leave their place. The new coach will see that there is competition within the squad and that is only a good thing for him. It means players are willing to work that much harder for their place.”

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