Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq has denied reports that he is in contention to take over as the national team”s batting coach following the team”s poor show in the recent concluded ICC Champions Trophy in England. According to the Daily Times, although Inzamam was approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work as a batting consultant with the national team and even worked with the players before they went to India for a one-day series last December, a source however, said that he had declined citing prior commitments. The source further said that PCB had then asked Inzamam to accompany the team to South Africa, adding that he did not go as he and the board could not reach an agreement. However, the former skipper said that this time, the PCB did not contact him as yet regarding the batting coach position, although he added that there was no doubt that the national team required the services of a proper batting coach or consultant. Stating that the coach needed to be someone who is respected in Pakistan cricket and has experience of playing international pressure games, Inzamam also said he was disgusted by the team”s performance in the Champions Trophy, adding that the players did not do justice to their green blazer and fans. According to the former batsman, a number of players performed below expectations, specially the batsman, although he added that the Pakistan line-up at the Champions Trophy is better than the totals made in England. Expressing his surprise at the flop show as the batsmen had been preparing for the tournament in advance, Inzamam further said that until the batsmen”s issues of confidence and self belief are sorted out, they will never be consistent and always fall under pressure, adding that the batsmen looked as if they had been handed a bat for the first time. Advising the national selectors to try some new players for the West Indies tour without any fear of losing, Inzamam also said that it is necessary to give new players confidence and the time to settle down and show their mettle. The former skipper also said that no youngster could perform in circumstances when they play one game, are subsequently dropped and then brought back in the very next game. (ANI)
