Not for the first time, Pakistan have a coach at the helm who appears to be out of synch with his selectors and players. Mudassar Nazar, the current coach, says he wasn't consulted over the omission of Wasim Akram from the side for the final of the Asian Test Championship - and he also doesn't agree with the idea of using Shoaib Malik as a stand-in opener. Pakistan's selectors are apparently considering dropping Saqlain Mushtaq in favour of Shoaib Malik for the match, which starts at Lahore on Wednesday (March 6). Mudassar admitted that the two offspinners were competing for one place in the side, and that Shoaib was being considered as he could also fill in as an opener. "But these decisions would only be finalised once I sit down with the captain and vice-captain," Mudassar told Pakistan's Dawn newspaper. "We have our options open."

But Mudassar made it clear that personally he was against the idea of using Shoaib Malik as an opener. "I think to play Abdur Razzaq in the top order in England was a great mistake. And if I have to take strength from that decision, I think we are better suited not to play Shoaib in the opener's slot," he said. "Technically maybe Shoaib is better suited to play in the top order in one-dayers, but not in Test cricket.

"If Shoaib opens the innings, Shahid Afridi will go down the order. He scored a century in our last Test match, so we have to be very categorical as to what we are doing."

Saqlain's place has been under scrutiny recently after a series of below-par performances, and on a pitch that is expected to favour the seamers he is seen as a luxury. By opening with Shoaib, Pakistan would be able to field an extra specialist bowler.

And just how much influence Mudassar carries was further called into question when he revealed that he had not been consulted over the omission of Wasim Akram from the squad. The official line from the selectors was that he had been rested as he lacked fitness, a claim vigorously denied by Akram himself.

"I am told that the selectors tried to locate me but they couldn't find me. In they end, they named the team without my consent," Mudassar said. "It's a judgment which didn't include my opinion. When fully fit he is the best bowler in the world. I never feel comfortable going into a match without Wasim Akram."

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