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Fast food chain to sponsor Boycott in Pakistan
Jan 22, 2001, 19:00 Hrs (IST)

Karachi: US fast food chain McDonalds will add spice to the much hyped coaching stint of former England player Geoff Boycott in Pakistan, officials said Monday.

"We are in the final stages of signing the deal and Boycott is arriving in Pakistan on February 4," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said.

McDonalds in Pakistan will dole out 30,000 pounds (around Rs 27 lakh) for Boycott's 15-day coaching stint. PCB had come under fire for what was seen by many here has an unnecessarily generous contract to the former England opener.

"We had properly thought out Boycott's coaching programme and don't bother about the negative thinking of the people - it cannot change our stance," Zia said.

"We know it can pay off and we will not crowd him with players. We want to set Pakistan cricket on a strong footing and decisions like this have to be taken."

Boycott will train budding players in Pakistan's national academy starting next month and will also pass on tips to the New Zealand-bound Pakistan team.

Former Pakistani coaches Mushtaq Mohammad and Intikhab Alam said they were unconvinced.

"No player in the world is worth 2,000 pounds a day, to me this is a waste of money," said Mohammad, Pakistan's coach in the 1999 World Cup.

Alam asked, "Who will follow up once Boycott leaves? If Boycott is that valuable why has England never appointed him their team's coach?" .

Copyright AFP 2000