|
RICHARD PYBUS
Born: 5 July 1964
Playing career:
Suffolk
Coaching career:
Selborne College - 1991
Border, South Africa - 1998-1999
Pakistan - 1999 World Cup (Ass coach), 1999-2000, 2001, 2002-present day
|
In a country where cricket is a passion, national team coach Richard Pybus' relationship with Pakistan can only be described as a stormy love affair.
No matter how many times he leaves, the South Africa-based Englishman always seems ready to return to the fold.
"There may be some people who ask why I return to Pakistan after a bad experience," Pybus told BBC Sport Online earlier this year.
"One of the prime reasons is that I love the attitude of Pakistani players and their fighting abilities."
Seen by some as a calming influence and others as a 'messiah', Pybus has also gained his critics during his many stints at the Pakistan helm.
But the 38-year-old once again answered Pakistan's call in September after a series of dismal results by the national team cost previous coach Mudassar Nazar his job.
The appointment of Pybus for the third time only confirms the high opinion held of him by senior Pakistan Cricket Board officials.
His relationship with Pakistan first started three years before when he was hired as assistant coach for the 1999 World Cup.
He went on to be promoted as head coach for the tour to Australia that winter, although a 3-0 rout led to him being sacked.
A former league player with Suffolk, Pybus was re-hired for Pakistan's tour of England last year, and helped them pull off a famous last session win at Old Trafford to square the Test series.
His tenure was cut short, however, after he declined to travel to the Asian region following the events of 11 September.
That prompted some commentators to question his commitment.
But the team's failure to reach the final of the inaugural Morocco Cup, their two humiliating defeats at the hands of Australia in the Kenya tri-series and early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy sparked nationwide criticism and led to Pybus' selection again.
Since his return however, the Englishman has suffered mixed fortunes at the helm.
After a clean sweep in their recent Test and one-day international series against Zimbabwe, the team has been brought back down to earth with a shudder against South Africa.
Pakistan cricket is regularly marred by controversies, internal rifts between players and frequent changes of personnel and Pybus knows the pressure is on if he is to last longer than he has in the past.
Email this story to a friend
Printable version
