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Lonely work Miandad moans, Pakistan struggles vs. New Zealand A
LINCOLN, New Zealand (Reuters) -- Pakistan great Javed Miandad lamented on Sunday the loneliness of the "long-distance" coach. The batsman, who tamed the best attacks in world cricket during the 1970s and 1980s, has had to deal with a series of problems as he tried to mastermind a successful visit to New Zealand. Pakistan lost the fifth and final one-day tour of New Zealand in Dunedin last week and before that England won a test series in Pakistan on their first visit since 1987. Pakistan is due to play a three-test series starting Thursday against New Zealand. But the tour of New Zealand has so far been beset with problems for the coach. Shoaib Akhtar was cited on Thursday for suspect action because of his bowling against New Zealand. Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and Saeed Anwar all fell to illness or injury. Miandad has been unwilling to comment on any of the so-called problems during his side's match against New Zealand A, which could end in embarrassing defeat as Pakistan begin the final day 70 runs in arrears with six wickets in hand. Two late wickets by Kiwi test hopeful Chris Drum left the visiting side at 108 for four at stumps on the second day. Pakistan, dismissed for 100 in its first innings, is still 70 runs behind New Zealand A's first innings total of 278 with two days to play. The not out batsmen were Younis Khan on three and Saqlain Mushtaq on one. Imran Farhat scored his maiden half-century for Pakistan before falling to the leg-spin of Brooke Walker in the over before stumps. Earlier, New Zealand A skipper Jacob Oram hit an impressive 88 as his side took a first innings lead of 178. Drum, who has played for New Zealand in limited over matches without distinction, has now taken six wickets in the match and may have done enough to make the squad for the first test as there is doubt over the fitness of Daryl Tuffey. According to New Zealand coach David Trist, Tuffey has only a 50/50 chance of taking the field in the Auckland test as he is suffering from a hip injury. Walker could also be called into the test side to replace Daniel Vettori, who is suffering a recurrence of a back injury. "It's not easy being a coach," he said. "It's a hard job. The worst thing as far as I am concerned is that I can do everything off the field coaxing the best out of the team, but when they go on the field, I am powerless. "It's not the same in other sports like hockey, soccer or basketball. Coaches can get involved during a game, but I may have to wait two hours for the next break. You can have a game plan, but it is out of the coach's hands when they go on the field and in the hands of the captain in the middle. "He might not see what you do from the sideline and that's what can be so frustrating." Miandad said he was not criticizing tour captain Moin Khan or Sunday's match skipper Waqar Younis. "It's the same for every coach, I know, but sometimes I find it hard to handle."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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