Ageism doesn't bother Pakistan coachPakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam Intikhab Alam Khan (Urdu: انتخاب عالم خان) (born December 28, 1941, Hoshiarpur, British India) is a retired Pakistani cricketer who played in 47 Tests and 4 ODIs from 1959 to 1977. on Tuesday brushed aside "negative" criticism from those demanding his removal because of his age, saying the campaign was motivated by jealousy. The 67-year-old guided Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title in England in June but Tests and one-day defeats on the Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (srē läng`kə) [Sinhalese,=resplendent land], formerly Ceylon, ancient Taprobane, officially Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, island republic (2005 est. pop. tour last month prompted former players to brand his old age a hindrance in proper coaching. But Alam brushed aside the flak. "If there is healthy criticism I take it in a positive way, but targeting my age is negative thinking and I smell jealousy from this," said Alam on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. of Pakistan team's training camp here. The five-day camp is the final phase of Pakistan's preparations for the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy Champions Trophy is the name of a number of different trophies in different sports:
Alam said the same people who were pointing finger at his age were praising him a few months ago. "I feel sorry for such people who have a personal vendetta vendetta (vĕndĕt`ə) [Ital.,=vengeance], feud between members of two kinship groups to avenge a wrong done to a relative. Although the term originated in Corsica, the custom has also been practiced in other parts of Italy, in other against me," said Alam, who was also credited for Pakistan's success in the 50-over World Cup in Australia in 1992. "They cannot digest our T20 success." Former captain Aamir Sohail last week criticised Alam for being too old to handle coaching at international level. Former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Tauqir Zia also joined Sohail in targeting Alam's age, saying Pakistan needs a young coach to guide them to more successes. Alam, however, insists he is fit. "I even take part in coaching drills and my age has never been a hindrance in my work. Coaching is all about experience and football coaches worldwide are over 70 years of age but no one speaks against them," said Alam. Alam said he feels no pressure and is committed to his task -- to help Pakistan attain top spot in world cricket. "My work speaks for itself and after winning the World Twenty20 we squandered squan·der tr.v. squan·dered, squan·der·ing, squan·ders 1. To spend wastefully or extravagantly; dissipate. See Synonyms at waste. 2. winning positions in Sri Lanka and lost," said Alam, who played 47 Tests and four one-day internationals and also captained Pakistan. "One defeat doesn't mean we are a bad team, we are a good team and if we play to our potential we can win more events in future and our first target is the Champions Trophy." Pakistan is placed in Group A of the Trophy. They play the West Indies on September 23, India (September 26) and Australia (September 30). England, New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. , Sri Lanka and hosts South Africa form Group B. The top two teams will qualify for the final. Alam said Pakistan's first target will be to reach the semi-final. "We have trained hard and after two warm-up matches before the tournament starts we will be in good shape for the event. Our first target will be to reach the semi-final and then aim for the Trophy." The Pakistan team flies out to Johannesburg on Thursday. 
|
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion