Job required

[Zainub]

Greatest irony here is that of all people Aamer Sohail (NO 1 bad boy of Pakistan cricket in his playing days) is questioning the language used by Woolmer. As if his own language is something to write home about.

[Teatime FatCat]

Why was Sohail such a bad boy in his playing days?

[Shaka]

Aamir Sohail is what you would call an educated hooligan. He has always had a short temper and a fast lip. He didn't get picked for Pakistan for a long time because of his attitude. He didn't make the team for his first class team in Pakistan so he dug up the wicket and poured oil on it. If he hadn't made it as a cricketer I can well imagine he'd be one of those guys in Pakistan that set light to a bus if he gets into an argument with the driver.

However you describe Woolmer, at least he's a qualified coach, which is more than we can say of our previous appointments. Anyway, back on topic, there isn't anything wrong with what Woolmer has said. He never implied that Shoaib wouldn't be picked for the Windies tour; although some PCB officials certainly have done that, so Aamir Sohail needs to aim his sights closer to home. All Woolmer has said is that Shoaib isn't indispensable...and no player should be.

[Zainub]

Exactly. Woolmer has stated the obvious as I see it.

Originally Posted by Aamer Soahail

I demand of Woolmer to apologise to Shoaib and the Pakistani people who would never tolerate such outbursts from a foreigner.

Aamer Soahil obviously speaks for himself, Pakistani people can't seem to be bothered less by Shoaib. I read somewhere he was laughed at by leading comedian at the celebration show yesterday. It was obviously only a joke, but from all that I have seen I don't think many Pakistani would "deman an apology" as Aamer claims.

What I also don't like is this constant refrence to Woolmer as being a "foreigner". I'm not arguing he's not one, it is a fact that he is, but constantly mentioning that, especially when you're doing that only to critcise him seems a rather racist approach to me. How many times have you seen ex players give credit to Woolmer and then mention in the same context his nationaility (for giving him credit for having adjusted to the often complicated and unsystematic style of administration here) Not often. Rather is the case that this non-issue of foreign nationality is only used when attempting to degrade Bob or criticsize him for one reason or the other.

I'm increasingly sympathetic towards Bob in this respect. I don't think I would have tolerated all this had I been in his place. I'd probably have left the job by now.

[Shaka]

I know why Woolmer hasn't left his job - because objections to a foreign coach have mainly been raised by vesrted interests, either ex-players, ex-coaches or their lackeys in the national press. The public at large have been overwhelmingly supportive as can be seen by the messages he receives on his website. His players also clearly respect him and he has gained tremendous loyalty very quickly.

This isn't to say he is some kind of miracle worker, he's an established and innovative coach with a good reputation though. We have seen even on this website that critics have cut and run after being challenged, only staying long enough to post links to their sites (Nauman) so how seriously can we take them?

[workkey]

I totally agree with ZB here.

No doubt shoaib is the fastest and has wonyus many matches but now for the last one or two years he is not that much fit.

We lost the last indian series at home even he was playing.Then came the series against srilanka at home ...we lost the first two with shoaib and won the last one without him...then off too australia and there again we lost all three with him playing there...

We all have to accept this that he is no longer a test match bowler.
He should only be selected if he is ready to play according to the team plan not just for his 100mph ball

[workkey]

And if we can remember we had a foreign coach in hockey lately also.I think our ex players are jealous towards woolmer.