Thaindian News

Wellington, Dec 22 (ANI): Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam has asked the New Zealand public not to expect instant results from new Black Caps coach John Wright.

He said New Zealand Cricket’s decision on Monday to replace coach Mark Greatbatch with Wright will eventually bear fruit.

Intikhab, 68, considers Wright a personal friend after playing against him on the English county scene during the late 1970s, Stuff.co.nz reports.

He said he watched with interest as the former New Zealand opener carved out an impressive five-year reign as coach of India between late 2000 and 2005 and sees no reason why history won’t repeat itself in this part of the world.

“It [changing coaches] happens with every country really. Nothing is like success. If a team is playing well, then everything is OK. But if the senior players aren’t performing or playing to their potential, it can be hard,” Intikhab said.

“If you look at the administration side of things, they [NZC] had to do something about it. Change, I think, probably brings about better results. We will have to wait and see, though,” he said.

In replacing Greatbatch with Wright, Intikhab believes NZC has made a prudent decision.

Wright’s first assignment will be Boxing Day’s Twenty20 against Pakistan in Auckland. (ANI)