Miandad finds Pakistan fine
AFP, Multan
Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said the rebuilding of his team was firmly on track after the series victory against Bangladesh. "After playing well in three one-day tournaments, this Test series against Bangladesh provided us with a chance to analyse weaknesses and now we are progressing well," said Miandad, whose two previous tenures as coach ended in acrimony. Dubbed 'Mr Fixit', Miandad had a fall out with senior players a fortnight before the 1999 World Cup and his second spell ended in dismissal following Pakistan's tour of the New Zealand in March 2001. A nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second Test in northwestern city of Peshawar last week not only gave Pakistan their first series win on home soil in five years but marked Miandad's first home win as coach. "It is nice that we have won the series, not for myself but for the country and hope that in future we will do better," he said. "We have analysed what are the weaknesses before the series against South Africa later this month. We came back, chased and won from bad positions in both the Tests," said Miandad. Bangladesh, berated for below par Test performances, gave Pakistan a tough fight in the Karachi Test which the home team won by seven wickets. "The Karachi Test did give us a sleepless night but the aim and morale was high and this is a quality," the coach said. Miandad, who coached Bangladesh's batsmen three years ago, said he is impressed with the Test minnows. "The way Bangladesh have played in the two Tests showed they have the potential to improve," he said.
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