He is glad that Indo-Pakistan bilateral cricket isfinally set for revival come December, but former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbasis not particularly pleased with the short duration of the series.
While welcoming the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcementthat it had got clearance to host Pakistan for a short one-day series fromDecember 25, Zaheer said he hoped for a full series.
"While it is a very good thing that finally bilateral cricket matches arebeing revived after nearly five years but the duration of the series hasdisappointed me given the importance of Indo-Pak cricket contests," hesaid in an interview.
"Any bilateral contest is welcome but I would have thought that after sucha long break, both countries should have played a proper Test series and founda window for this in their busy schedules," he added.
Zaheer said the duration of the series was too short.
"But anyway I hope that very soon the two boards will schedule a full Testseries because it has been a long time since we played Tests against each otherand that is the real challenge of cricket," he noted.
Another former Test captain, Hanif Mohammad also welcomed the decision by thePCB to send its team to India in December to revive bilateral ties.
"It is a good decision although India has not come to Pakistan since 2006but someone has to take the initiative and it is good we did it. Because I havealways felt Indo-Pak cricket contests only further popularise the sport in thesubcontinent and bring in new talent," Hanif said.
Zaheer also advised the Pakistan Cricket Board to appoint alocal person as the batting coach of the national team.
Zaheer's comments came despite he being a member of the coaching committeeappointed by the board to scrutinise, shortlist and recommend candidates forthe batting coach position.
The committee has invited interested applicants from Pakistan and outside thecountry to apply for the position by December 5.
"I just feel that we should have a local person as batting coach becausewe have produced some great batsmen in our country and one of them can easilyenough do the job for the national team," Zaheer said.
The former captain, who himself scored prolifically in a illustrious career isa member of the committee that also includes former Test captain Intikhab Alamand Colonel Naushad Ali.
Zaheer, who was also on the committee when it appointed Dav Whatmore as headcoach of the team in March, said the Australian needed to be given proper timeto prove his credentials with the team.
"Immediately after he took charge we won the Asia Cup but I still feel heneeds to be given more time to prove himself.
We should not jump to conclusions about his value to the team," he added.