Thaindian News

Karachi, Oct 8 (ANI): Newly appointed manager of the national team, former Test captain Intikhab Alam has acknowledged that managing the team in the present spot-fixing scandal circumstances is not an easy job.

“It’s not an easy job anymore,” The News quoted Intikhab, as saying, referring to the fact that the spot-fixing scandal involving three leading Pakistan players had added a lot more importance to the team manager’s role.

“My job will be to make it sure that everything is okay in the UAE,” he said, adding, “We will try our best to enhance the image of the Pakistan cricket team.”

Intikhab, who had been serving as the PCB’s Director Game Development after his removal as the national coach last February, said that he had a very good understanding with the present coaching staff, including Pakistan’s coach Waqar Younis and assistant coach Aaqib Javed.

“I know Waqar well, I know Aaqib well. I’ve worked with the coaching staff before and I have a very good understanding with them,” he noted.

Although 68-year-old Intikhab is one of the most experienced coaches in Pakistan, he made it clear that he would completely leave the job of training the players to the coaches.

“It will be the team’s coaches, who will take care of the cricketing side. I’ll be there as a guiding hand but my main job will be to manage the team and that’s it,” he said.

Talking about the upcoming series against the Proteas, Intikhab hoped that Pakistan would make the most of the fact that they would be playing on familiar territory in the UAE.

However, he noted, “South Africa are a very professional side,” he said. “We will have to do our homework and I’m sure that the coach and captain will ensure that.” (ANI)