National interest is supreme: says Miandad

Former Pakistan Captain and coach Javed Miandad said Saturday that he will keep national interest prime if asked to again take up the responsibility as a coach of Pakistan team. "I have always kept national interest above all and will continue to do so in the future," he told APP in response to a query whether he would like to accept the coaching assignment of the national team for a fourth time if asked by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"It is a hypothetical question but I can only think about it if the offer comes to me," Miandad, Pakistan's highest run-getter with 8832 in 124 Test matches said.

"I have to think about various options if any offer comes through", replied the former skipper - who had not applied for the coaching job, advertised by the PCB few weeks ago.

Country's premier batsman Miandad, who will turn 50 on June 12 this year, said he had served the country with honour and dignity and it was always his wish that Pakistan team perform well in the international arena.

PCB chief Dr. Nasim Ashraf in a recent statement had said they (PCB) were looking for a foreign coach and it would be appointed within next few months.

However some cricketing circles and Javed Miandad supporters in Pakistan believe that a home coaching could be more useful considering our environment and Miandad was a good choice for the assignment.

Miandad dispelled the impressions created by certain circles that by winning three- match series in Abu Dhabi against Sri Lanka 2-1, Pakistan team was back on track after the World Cup debacle.

"It was like festival cricket in Abu Dhabi. It is good that Pakistan's full strength team beat under strength Lankan team but it is not worth celebration," he remarked.

"Winning World Cup, Asia Cup or a major away series is worth celebrations and not series like in Abu Dhabi," he observed.

"Pakistan team got the same old lot except for Fawad Alam and Najaf Shah," he said. "We must look for consistency because that is the national duty of the players to perform well," he maintained.

He said look at Australians, they won the World Cup for a third time since 1999 and their celebrations were over after having a breakfast with Prime Minister John Howard.

"We need a good strategy and planning on long-term basis. Boys should learn from their mistakes and improve upon it," Javed Miandad said.

"Pakistan team can only enhance their performance and status by looking at a team such as Australia," he said.

"We needed a good team and should have a proper back-up line to fill the void in emergency," he pointed out.