The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed legendary Hanif Mohammad as its team's batting consultant for the Tests against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Hanif, who played 55 Tests and scord 3,915 runs at 43.98 with 12 centuries and 15 half centuries, will leave for Zimbabwe next week. He will return after the second Test at Harare that concludes November 20 but will fly out to South Africa in the second week of December where the first Test begins on December 26 at Durban.

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, Chairman of the PCB, was delighted to have Hanif, popularly known as the Little Master, with the team.

"It is a great honour that a cricketer and icon like Hanif Mohammad has agreed to join hands with the PCB in the better interest of the team and the country. I am convinced that his addition to the team would benefit the players, particularly the youngsters", Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said.

Hanif, who turns 68 in December, also coached the youngsters at the regional academies in Karachi and Muridke. He responded in the positive when the PCB approached him to guide the young batsmen in a brief camp that was held after the series against Australia and between the team's departure for Zimbabwe.

"The youngsters in the team have the potential and talent. But they lack in patience, concentration, application and probably stroke selection. I think these were the ingrediants that made Hanif Mohammad one of the greatest batsmen ever to take the field. And that's precisely why we requested him to join us and he accepted the offer.

"He will work in consultation with team coach Richard Pybus who was also happy to be working with a former master", the PCB Chairman added.

Pakistan last year appointed Australian Daryl Foster as fast bowling consultant on the tour to England last year. Besides, Sri Lanka also secured the services of South African Barry Richards despite having Australian Dave Whatmore as their coach.

Hanif played first-class cricket for nearly 23 years between 1953 and 1976 in which he scored 17,059 runs at 52.32 with 55 centuries and 66 half centuries.

Samiul Hasan
GM Media
November 1, 2002

© PCB