Wednesday, September 5, 2001 The way Bangladesh played at Multan, Pakistan did not need home advantage. The babes of Test cricket threw their wickets away for nothing. If they keep playing like this they will find it difficult to get out of nappies. After a good start in the first innings (remember, they were 50 for 1) they started hitting out instead of trying to occupy the crease. Bangladesh certainly have potential, but Test cricket requires a strong and determined mind.

Although everyone was expecting Pakistan's new pitch to be quick it turned out to be a batting paradise. Danish Kaneria bowled well on it. I wanted him to tour England this year but the selectors decided otherwise. I am a firm believer in taking talented young players on tours because they can learn so much so quickly from being in the squad and in a new environment. I had even backed Taufeeq Umar for Pakistan's recent tour of New Zealand, when I was coach, but again he wasn't selected.

Now Bangladesh face an even bigger challenge. Kaneria is learning fast but Muttiah Muralitharan is a master, and Bangladesh must do their homework by analysing Murali's bowling style and simulating the match environment. That also means practising non-stop against the type of deliveries Murali might bowl. Trevor Chappell, the coach, has a vital role to play here in preparation for the Test match in Sri Lanka. The batsmen must concentrate on settling in for a long innings rather than hitting in the air like they did against Kaneria.

The media have made a big deal out of a row that I am supposed to have had with Trevor. I went to Bangladesh as a batting consultant for three weeks before the Pakistan Test and I stuck to the agenda agreed with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. During my coaching stint a practice match took place between players in the touring party and the Bangladesh A team. I went along according to my schedule but Trevor preferred to take sole charge of that session so I left him to it. I don't know why he decided to do that but there was definitely no row. I'll probably go to Bangladesh again for another coaching assignment in the coming months but there is no firm arrangement at the moment.

This Asian Test Championship would have been much more fascinating had India played. They should not have pulled out at the last minute and their decision does nothing for the betterment of Asian cricket. But the Asian Cricket Council made the right decision to continue the tournament without them. India are not being fair to their neighbours. It is wrong to commit to a tournament and then pull out at the last minute. There are financial losses which cannot be recouped.

The other disappointment is that there is no problem between the players and the people. Pakistan have made several trips to India when the political climate has been stormy. In 1999 we went despite threats to disrupt the tour and had a trouble-free trip. I don't understand the Indian government's policy because Pakistan and India are competing head-to-head in all other sports. It is time for ICC to take a firm stand otherwise no-one will take cricket's ruling body seriously.

Javed Miandad was speaking to Kamran Abbasi

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