The PCB Chairman, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia had a series of meetings with key board officials on the weekend and Monday afternoon at the PCB headquarters, and afterwards a number of decisions were announced.

To further improve the fitness levels of the national team, Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to hire the services of famed trainer Dennis Waight for the national squad. In addition Trevor Chappell has been hired as a Fielding coach for the academies while Daryl Foster is being engaged as a bowling coach and Consultant for the National Cricket Academy.

"This trio of Aussie professionals are all highly qualified in their area of experties, and their services are likely to make a major impact in enhancing the competence levels of Pakistani cricketers" said a PCB spokesman.

It was also learnt that, after their triumph in Australia, President Pervez Musharraf has invited the national team for high tea; the schedule is yet to be firmed up but the tentative date is July 11.

In addition to Chappell and Foster, the indigenous experties would also be invited for a stint at the Academy. In this connection, Chairman PCB has requested Hanif Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad to polish up batting techniques of the youngsters undergoing training at the regional academies.

It was decided to retain both the senior and junior selection committees as separate entitles, who would perform their duties on honorary basis. The Chairman PCB has appreciated the dedication of the selectors in continuing to assist Pakistan cricket without any remuneration.

It was also decided in principle to neither recognize nor patronize any cricket coaching camps or academies being set up by various people. "Since the PCB is planning to establish a coaching center under its own aegis right down to every district level under the "Vision 2005" programme, it is no larger feasible for the PCB to help out in any way independent academies or coaching camps", said a PCB spokesman.


Khalid Butt
Media Manager
July 01, 2002

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