'Politicians influence cricket in Pakistan'

CHENNAI: Former Pakistan off-spinner Iqbal Sikandar feels political interference is keeping away the country's former cricketers from taking up the job of national coach.

Sikandar, training the Asian Cricket Council's players from seven countries at the MRF Pace Foundation here, said politicians often influence the selection process in Pakistan.

"In Pakistan, the politicians are known for forcing their way into everything. They would telephone and insist on getting their boys picked for the national team whether they deserve a berth or not," Sikandar said.

"Though communication problems do exist among former players, the main cause for them not volunteering to take up the job as coach is the political interference," he added.

Sikander, however, believes a foreign coach would be immune to this problem.

"This has been the problem for former cricketers, who will not have a choice but a foreigner will not allow such interference.

"There is a clamour for a foreigner to do the job and Dav Whatmore is the right person to put Pakistan back to their winning ways," he said.

Sikandar said Whatmore was capable of changing fortunes of their cricketing side.

"Whatmore has not played as many Test matches as Greg Chappell. But Greg was not successful with the Indian team. Whatmore is one of the best amongst the coaches available in the cricketing world today. He never seeks media attention but makes sure that players are on their toes always," he added.