Former Pakistan international Aaqib Javed has described his country’s national team as “all over the place” and called for patience under Mickey Arthur.
Javed, who was initially in the running for the job before the Pakistan Cricket Board looked to foreign alternatives, says that although exciting times are foreseeable in Pakistan’s future, miracles should not be expected instantly.
South Africa coach Arthur was brought in to replace Javed’s former team-mate Waqar Younis after a woeful World T20 campaign that saw the team berated by media and fans alike.
The team tore itself apart from within and Waqar eventually paid the price, although a number of his suggestions – such as bringing Inzaman-ul-Haq in as chief selector – have since been implemented by the PCB.
Ex-UAE coach Javed feels immense potential remains in Pakistan cricket but admits there are still immediate concerns for Arthur, chiefly the inevitable impending retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.
Misbah-ul-Haq (L) and Younis Khan (R).
“At the moment they are all over the place,” Javed told Sport360. “I am worried when Misbah and Younis go, what will happen to their batting? We have seen the Sri Lankans struggling after losing two great players [Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara].
“The challenge can’t be solved in six months or one year.”
Javed, who recently left the UAE to take up a role as director of cricket for PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars, believes that the biggest threat to the succession of Younis and Misbah is the country’s lack of a top national academy.
The 43-year-old was instrumental at the country’s National Cricket Academy before it ran into the ground six years ago, helping shape a number of the current side’s then burgeoning careers.
And Javed says that without such facilities the development of young Pakistan cricketers is being stunted.
“Nobody actually realised the development Pakistan stopped and that is now hurting them right now. They used to have the best academy system back in Pakistan which they stopped in 2010,” said Javed, who represented his country 22 times in Tests and 163 ODIs.
“All these players are from this system and once you produce players from the system you can last on that group of players for four or five years. All of a sudden when you stop your development plans you have no more players coming up from your system.
“So now Pakistan has to wait at least two years and they should realise that they should not expect any miracle from Mickey Arthur or somebody else. It’s not about people, it’s not about personalities – it’s about the system.”
Javed was a front-runner for the Pakistan job in the aftermath of Waqar’s sacking before a PCB u-turn saw them head in a different direction.
The situation irked Javed, who was unwilling to apply for the role after initial discussions with the PCB.
But it has not soured his relationship with Pakistan cricket and despite never having any previous encounters with Arthur, he believes the former South Africa and Australia coach has all the right attributes to lead Pakistan forward as long as he is backed by everyone involved in Pakistan cricket.
“I think [Arthur] has great experience working with two international teams and working with a high performance centre,” Javed added. “He is a technical and a team coach as well so I think he must be very experienced and working with Asian players he must have an idea of working with different people. I can’t find any problem because he has the experience and I think he’ll do well.
“The coming two series are really tough in England and Australia. Within six months, the two toughest series. I think everybody should understand this is a time to support Pakistan cricket, not to criticise Mickey Arthur or others. I think the coming two or three years will be exciting for Pakistan cricket, but short-term I can’t see any recent repair.
“I wish them all the best because I’m still learning. One day I will be the coach and I have some special plans for Pakistan cricket. Sooner or later I will achieve that and not only to serve as a coach but also achieve my goals through that opportunity.”
