No top Pakistani cricketer has applied for the position of head coach of the national team with some prominent players including Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan and Aaqib Javed insisting they didn’t want to waste their time on paperwork when the cricket board had already made up its mind to appoint a foreign coach.
According to a reliable source in the Pakistan board, only two low profile former Pakistan players, including Manzoor Ellahi, had applied for the head coach position by the deadline of 25th April which the PCB had set for interested candidates to send in their documents.
“The PCB has made up its mind to have a foreign coach. If they are sincere about giving a chance to a Pakistani they can speak directly to me,” former Test pacer, Aaqib Javed, seen as a front runner for the job until recently, said.
Aaqib said he didn’t send his application as the coaching committee, which will shortlist the head coach, included Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja who had already advised the board to have a foreigner.
'Thoughtless'
Former Test opener Mohsin Khan, who has remained a chief selector and interim head coach of the national team, said he also didn’t apply for the same reason. “I also feel it is thoughtless of the board to have Wasim and Ramiz on the coaching committee when they are more senior players like myself who would like to coach the national team, but no one should expect us to be interviewed by them.”
Mohsin, who was initially offered the post of chief selector but rejected it insisting he wanted to coach the side, said it appeared as if the PCB had already decided on having a foreign coach.
Former captain Moin Khan said the board should be speaking directly to senior stalwarts instead of seeking applications.
Former two-time England coach Peter Moores, Australians Tom Moody, Jamie Siddon, Stuart Law and Dean Jones and former South African coach, Mickey Arthur are said to be among the foreigners who have sent in their CVs.
The PCB is on the lookout for a new head coach after former captain, Waqar Younis, resigned few days ago after Pakistan’s unsuccessful campaigns in the Asia Cup and World T20. The board is also on the lookout to appoint a new assistant coach, bowling and batting coaches. Pakistan has already named its most capped player, Inzamam-ul-Haq as the new chief selector.
Pakistan is set to play around 12 to 14 Tests against England, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the next 12 months. Only the series against West Indies will be Pakistan’s home series in the UAE while the rest are away tours to the above countries.
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