In cricket, coaches have traditionally held significant importance, but until two decades ago, coaches worked individually, and the coaching of national team was a unique matter. Even if a team had a coach, their powers and rights to make changes were limited. Their responsibilities were often confined to net practices, offering advice to the captain, and during matches, their role was no more than handing out towels.
However, when modern cricket emerged in the 1990s and the number of matches increased, the need for a coach became evident. The role of coaches in Pakistan cricket began after Imran Khan’s era ended. As long as Imran Khan was captain, he ruled with absolute power, making decisions for the team alone, including the playing eleven. During his eleven-year tenure, he also minimized the role of the manager to mere carrying the passport bag.
After his tenure, when the Pakistan team became a battleground for captaincy, the role of coaches started to emerge. Coaches like Mushtaq Mohammad, Wasim Raja, Haroon Rashid, Javed Miandad, Intikhab Alam, Mudassar Nazar, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Saleem Mushhtaq were appointed. These coaching stints began with great fanfare but ended in helplessness, often due to internal groupings and favoritism. The involvement of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis’ groups severely impacted Pakistan cricket during this period, leading to allegations of match-fixing and drug use, which devastated the team.
The disagreements reached a point where Mushtaq Mohammad, as coach, criticized his own captain, Rameez Raja, for his team selections, and Wasim Raja resigned a few weeks into his coaching role. Even administrators like Majid Khan gave up in frustration. Imran Khan dismissed the appointment of coaches as a mockery, as the board had no firm grip on the players. Players openly criticized the then PCB chairman Naseem Shah, who had risen to power through backdoor politics.
Javed Miandad was the first coach in Pakistan cricket to lead the team to a historic victory over India in India. However, his alleged foul language cut his tenure short. The early 2000s saw the introduction of foreign coaches, starting with South African Richard Pybus, appointed by then-chairman Saeed Rehman on Wasim Akram’s advice. Despite his professional credentials, Pybus struggled with the team, and by the 2003 World Cup, he had quit.
Following Pybus, foreign coaches like Bob Woolmer, Geoff Lawson, Dav Whatmore, and Mickey Arthur took charge, but their tenures were marred by controversies. Woolmer was highly respected for his friendly approach, and under his coaching, Pakistan achieved several victories, but his untimely death in 2007 ended his career. Lawson faced language barriers, while Whatmore had conflicts with senior players. Mickey Arthur led the team to the Champions Trophy but was also embroiled in controversies, eventually leaving after disputes with the board.
Currently, Jason Gillespie is the coach of Pakistan’s Test team, but his limited coaching experience at the national level has raised doubts. Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, resigned due to disagreements with the board, and Aqib Javed has now been appointed as the white-ball coach for the next three series.
Why is the Coach Controversy So Intense in Pakistan?
While coaching disputes are common in every team, the controversy in Pakistan is exacerbated because the board often uses coaches to enforce its decisions, while the captain insists on his own choices, making it difficult for coaches to form strategies. There are also instances where coaches form factions among players, leading them against the board. A famous example is the 2006 England tour when Waqar Younis, as bowling coach, encouraged captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to challenge the board chairman.
Changes in coaches often occur at the players’ behest. If a captain and senior players stand by a coach, the board feels compelled to keep that coach. In the past, the board appointed Misbah-ul-Haq as both coach and selector, which promoted favoritism. Misbah’s tenure was marked by a series of losses and clashes, particularly over the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed from captaincy.
The board then appointed Saqlain Mushtaq, who, despite not being fully qualified for the role, was chosen based on favoritism. As losses mounted, the board began seeking foreign coaches, but no professional coach was willing to work with the PCB’s juvenile decisions.
Jason Gillespie’s appointment came with a hefty salary but minimal commitment, and Gary Kirsten’s brief tenure ended due to selection issues and frustration with the board. These decisions show that PCB’s constant interference in coaching has prevented a stable coaching regime, unlike countries where coaches are given full autonomy. In England, for instance, the coach has the authority to change captains and is not held accountable by the board.
Aqib Javed as Pakistan’s New Coach
The PCB has appointed Aqib Javed as the white-ball coach until the Champions Trophy. He previously served as an assistant coach during the 2009 World Cup and has also coached UAE and Sri Lanka. He was with Lahore Qalandars for nine years, during which he introduced many young players to the team.
Aqib Javed gained prominence by developing spin-friendly pitches during Pakistan’s recent series against England. Despite being the most powerful figure in Pakistan cricket at the moment, there are questions about whether he can work alongside his assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, who is considered part of Wasim Akram’s group. Aqib and Azhar have had past differences, especially over the match-fixing scandal.
Aqib’s success will be tested during the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Pakistan likely to win these. However, the real test will come in the Champions Trophy. The challenge will be if Aqib can maintain consistency, as Pakistan’s performances often fluctuate unexpectedly.
Coaching requires deep commitment, but for positive results, external pressure should be minimized, and coaches must be allowed to work freely. Sunil Gavaskar, the Little Master, emphasized that consistent decisions, rather than frequent changes, lead to better results, as seen with Anil Kumble’s dismissal by Virat Kohli. Similarly, Imran Khan, though never a fan of coaches, instructed the board to retain a coach for at least two years to allow for long-term planning.
Aqib Javed’s appointment as coach may provide stability, but PCB must recognize that constantly changing coaches won’t bring long-term success. A strong team can only be built with a consistent and empowered coach who has full autonomy.
Reported by Syed Haider