Coach`s nationality doesn`t make a difference: Misbah

Islamabad: Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has said that lauded coach Dav Whatmore, who is yet to finish his first year with the Pakistan team, saying that his presence is already being reflected in the results and the show of strength on the field.

The Express Tribune quoted Misbah, as saying that Whatmore has brought about a change in attitude. According to Misbah, when a coach joins in a professional capacity, his job is to improve the team and the players, and it doesn`t matter where he`s from. It depends on the players how they benefit from him, Misbah added. Whatmore took charge early last year, replacing interim coach Mohsin Khan, who took Pakistan to series-wins in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before the famous Test-series whitewash over England in the UAE. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was keen to appoint an experienced individual who had trained international teams in the past. Whatmore`s first assignment was last year`s Asia Cup which Pakistan won after beating Bangladesh in the final. A disappointing tour of Sri Lanka followed where Pakistan lost the One-Day International (ODI) and Test series followed by an ODI series-loss to Australia in the UAE. Mohammad Hafeez did lead his side to the Twenty20 series-win over Australia and to the 2012 World Twenty20 semi-finals ahead of the tour to India. Meanwhile, Indian cricketer MS Dhoni has also backed his side`s international coach Duncan Fletcher in wake of the recent stinging criticism aimed at the pair. Critics have called for Fletcher`s sacking as well, asking him to be replaced with a local coach. According to Dhoni, local or foreign doesn`t make a difference as it is the players responsibility to perform. Dhoni said the coach can guide the players and help them. If he sees an issue with the players, he goes and tells him and asks them to work extra on the problem, he said, adding that it is up to the individual to respond to that and it is wrong to go out and blame just the coach for the team`s poor show. ANI