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Pybus to coach Pak? No way, says Bacher!

The South African cricket board refused Richard Pybus permission to join Pakistan as assistant coach to Javed Miandad.

Dr Ali Bacher, UCBSA managing director, vetoed the appointment at a board meeting held over the weekend.

Speaking to Rediff, Pybus said he was surprised that the board had objected to his appointment as assistant coach of the Pakistan team for the World Cup. "I am not employed by the South African Cricket Board, I am employed by the Provincial board. I will be getting their feedback tonight," Pybus said.

Interestingly, the UCBSA has not yet contacted Pybus, who learnt of the veto only from a journalist.

"I gather that Dr. Ali Bacher changed his mind over the weekend, after the board meeting, he was not overly impressed with my appointment and said that I might give out secrets of the South Africans," Pybus told Rediff.

Mark Boucher and Makaya Ntini are the two national players who play for the Provincial team coached by Pybus. "I fail to understand what secrets Dr Ali Bacher is talking about, because there are no secrets in international cricket nowadays. I am not even in close contact with Bob Woolmer or any other members of the national squad, I am not privy to the strategic thinking of the South African national team, I fail to see how I can be a threat," Pybus said, adding that irrespective of what the South African board or even the provincial board decided, he would join the Pakistan team on schedule.