When cricket blurs border: Inzamam-ul-Haq "enjoys" working with Manoj Prabhakar

KARACHI: Their nations are still not engaging in bilateral cricketing ties but former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is "enjoying the experience of working with former India seamer Manoj Prabhakar" as a part of the coaching staff in the Afghanistan cricket team.

While Inzamam joined the Afghanistan team as head coach three months back Prabhakar has also signed on as bowling coach of the Afghanistan outfit.

Since Inzamam took charge Afghanistan has beaten Zimbabwe in a limited over series in Zimbabwe and lead a five match series 2-0 presently in Sharjah.

"It is a different experience for us(him and Prabhakar) given the cricket rivalry associated with Pakistan and India. No one would expect a Pakistani and Indian to be working on the coaching staff of an international team," Inzamam said from Sharjah.

"But I am enjoying this experience because despite all the issues surrounding relations and cricket matters Pakistan and Indian players have lot in common," Inzamam said.

He said Prabhakar had made a difference to the team and was strong in his core coaching area.

He said Prabhakar's inclusion was also helpful since the Afghanistan team now held their home training camps in Noida near New Delhi instead of Sharjah.

Inzamam speaking on the Muhammad Aamir comeback issue said he was clear in his mind that not only Aamir, the Pakistan board should also treat the other two spot fixing players Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif in same way. There should be no discrimination between the three.

"All of them deserve a second chance and the board should ensure they ease back into the national team," Inzamam added.

He agreed that initially the bonding period for Aamir in the Pakistan team would not be easy.

"There are bound to be problems from the crowd and media and from some quarters in the team but with time things will settle down. He can still give a lot of service to Pakistan cricket after his redemption."

Inzamam was critical about the way the franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) had selected players and coaching staff for their teams.

He said it appeared not much homework was done in this regard and expressed surprise that the head coach of the Pakistan team Waqar Younis was not picked up by any franchise.

"I think if this process can be reviewed by the board and franchises it should be reviewed because it is hard to understand how Waqar or other deserving players couldnt get a chance."