No need for new coach, let Younis take charge : Rameez Raja

St.John's (Antigua), Apr 6 (UNI) While the debate on the appointment of new cricket coaches in the sub continent is raging, former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja feels his country would be better off without a coach.

''The captain should be vested with more authority and control to end duplicity of power and responsibility as it will bring more cohesion in the team,'' he opined.

''Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should take their time and think about not having a coach,'' he said adding ''Vice-captain Younis Khan should be appointed as the new skipper and put in charge of all team matters, aided by a low-profile assistant coach to organise things like nets.'' The cricketer turned commentator told BBC that ''There can be confusion about who is in charge with a coach there, so I say give the captain all the authority and make him more responsible.'' ''If they make Younis Khan captain it would improve the team. He may come over as mercurial and temperamental but if they appoint him long term, I'm sure he will be able to work out his negativities,'' Remeez said.

Pakistan coach Woolmer, 58, was found dead on March 18, the day after his team were eliminated from the World Cup following a shock defeat to Ireland and Jamaican police say he was murdered.

With Inzamam-ul-Haq relinquishing the Test and one-day captaincy, the former PCB chief executive was of the view that the time is right to make radical decisions.

''We've tried various coaches and though they are important, if they were that important the lesser teams would be able to match the better teams in world cricket,'' he said.

''Coaches can also retard the thinking of cricketers, especially of a captain because he's being fed things from his coach all the time,'' he said.

Pakistan under-19 coach Aaqib Javed and cricket academy head Mudassar Nazar have both been suggested as candidates, but Rameez did not back them.

''As far as their cricket abilities go I have no issues, but as far as man-management skills are concerned, I have an issue or two,'' he said.

''That is why Bob Woolmer was so crucial to this team. He knew man-management and would look to take the positives out of a defeat,'' he added.

UNI