The leg-spinner, despite his controversial past, as Woolmer felt his communication skills could come in handy while dealing with the team.
KARACHI: Rubbishing reports that Mushtaq Ahmed's appointment as deceased Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's assistant was done under pressure from skipper Inzamam-ul Haq, former PCB Chief Shaharyar Khan on Sunday said the leg-spinner was brought in on Woolmer's request.
Speaking to reporters after attending a memorial service for the murdered coach at Lahore, Shaharyar rejected suggestions that Inzamam forced the Pakistan Cricket Board to appoint Mushtaq.
"Inzamam didn't push for it. Woolmer told me that it would be a good idea to have Mushtaq as he had good communication skills, was a good professional and got along well with everyone. So I agreed to have him in the team," the ex-PCB chief said.
Shaharyar claimed he agreed to bring in the leg-spinner, despite his controversial past, as Woolmer felt his communication skills could come in handy while dealing with the team.
When reminded that the head of the match fixing inquiry in Pakistan had recommended that Mushtaq not be given any responsible position in the team, Shaharyar said Mushtaq was only fined for not cooperating with the inquiry.
"And before we appointed him he had been playing for three years for Sussex so obviously there was no objection to his being assistant coach or bowling consultant from any quarters," he pointed out.
Shaharyar also narrated another incident highlighting the fact that Woolmer didn't have absolute command and respect in the team.
"Last year when some players were sent back from England in the series they misbehaved with Woolmer and he in turn complained to me how the players had behaved and violated the discipline of the team," he recalled.
Without naming the players, Shaharyar said just as the Board decided to take action against the cricketers for their misbehaviour, Woolmer called him up and told him not to do anything.
"He told me let me handle the situation. I will talk to them and cool them down. Their outburst and misbehaviour was an example of their frustration and their keenness to play for Pakistan," Shaharyar said.
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