Legend Miandad turns down Caribbean trip

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CMC):

Pakistan batting legend Javed Miandad will not join the national squad for the Test and one-day series against West Indies later this month, and says he will decide on the batting coach offer after the tour.

Miandad, who played 124 Tests and 233 one-day internationals, was asked to perform the role by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi.

"I had detailed meetings with Mr Butt and Afridi, but I told them that I could not travel with the team to the West Indies," the 53-year-old Miandad was quoted as saying.

Pakistan's one-day squad is scheduled to leave for the Caribbean next Thursday for the series, which comprises one Twenty20 International and five ODIs.

The tourists will then play a two-Test series with matches in Guyana and St Kitts.

"I think the tour of West Indies is not a tough one. After this tour I might consider taking up the coaching assignment."

Pakistan will be looking to reverse decades of underachieve-ment in the Caribbean, where they have never won a Test series.