As Pakistan once again head for the United Arab Emirates, Dav Whatmore spoke with PakPassion.net about how things have gone so far as Pakistan coach, the tour of Sri Lanka, the upcoming tour of Australia and areas where he feels the Pakistan team need to improve upon.

By Saj Sadiq (24th August, 2012)

After five months into one of the toughest jobs in world cricket, Dav Whatmore has already experienced the highs and lows of coaching the Pakistan cricket team.

Things could not have started better for Whatmore with a tournament win at the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, after defeating the hosts in the final.

The Asia Cup was followed by a tough tour of Sri Lanka where it was all square in the two Twenty20 internationals, 3-1 to the hosts in the four one day internationals and Sri Lanka also won the Test series 1-0 after winning the 1st Test of the series in Galle.

There has been some excellent cricket by the Pakistanis during Whatmore's tenure so far, but the coach must also be concerned with some of the "suicidal" cricket he will have seen.

As Pakistan once again head for the United Arab Emirates, Whatmore spoke with PakPassion.net about how things have gone so far as Pakistan coach, the tour of Sri Lanka, the upcoming tour of Australia and areas where he feels the Pakistan team need to improve upon.


PakPassion.net: You've been in the role of Head Coach of the Pakistan team for several months now, how do you feel the stint has gone so far?

Dav Whatmore: It has been very encouraging to say the least. After immediate success in the Asia Cup, the expectation was always going to be high. The Sri Lanka series was also a good one without the reflection on the win /loss ratio. Honours were even in the Twenty 20s, 1 ODI win away from a hard fought series and after being desperately unlucky in the 1st Test, we finished strongly in the final two games. Room for improvement is there but, that tour provided many positives.


PakPassion.net: The performances in Sri Lanka in the one dayers and Twenty20s were "mixed". What areas of their cricket do you feel Pakistan needs to improve in order to compete with Australia in the UAE?

Dav Whatmore: Yes, the results in Sri Lanka could have been better. As I said earlier, we were 1 ODI win from having a really good tour. Many will recall that we managed to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory". We need to keep our heads and close the deal after playing ourselves into winning positions - greater portion of "software" preferably.


PakPassion.net: The next series sees Pakistan take on Australia in the T20 and ODI formats, what do you make of the current Australian team in these two formats?

Dav Whatmore: Whatever team is put out by the Australians will always be competitive. Yes they have had some injury problems and a retirement as well, however we will expect a fight in every match.


PakPassion.net: Kamran Akmal has been recalled to both the Twenty20 and One Day squads, what do you feel he brings to the Pakistan side in these formats? 

Dav Whatmore: I think Kamran Akmal brings experience and flexibility into both short formats of the game. His inclusion strengthens the team and provides additional options for the captain.


PakPassion.net: Umar Gul who has looked out of sorts recently has been dropped for the series against Australia for the one day format, what advice would you give Umar and what aspects of his cricket do you feel he needs to work on at the moment?

Dav Whatmore: I feel he has much more to offer Pakistan cricket and his place in the T20 Team is valued.


PakPassion.net: Do you think this is the end of the road for Younis Khan in one day internationals? 

Dav Whatmore: Knowing Younis so far, I think he will fight his way back into contention.


PakPassion.net: The timings in the UAE for the matches are "unusual", how do you think this will affect the players, if at all?

Dav Whatmore: Unusual hours of play is required to suit the hot conditions prevalent during August and September> I'm sure the players will adjust.


PakPassion.net: The series against Australia is obviously crucial in Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup, how confident are you of Pakistan's chances at this prestigious event?

Dav Whatmore: I remain confident of doing well. All teams give this format of the game due importance....something that wasn't evident in the past. Selection of all teams look strong and it will come down to very small margins that will separate winners from others. A little bit of luck will also play a part.

Discuss!