PCB chief hints at interim coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering the option of appointing an interim coach for the team’s tour of England in July-August as it continues its hunt for a long-term replacement for Waqar Younis.

After the board’s Annual General Meeting, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan told the media in Lahore that it is continuing to assess potential foreign and local candidates for the position of head coach.

“We can put in an interim coach for the time being so that’s not a big issue,” he said. Khan’s statement created confusion in the cricket circles since the board has given a deadline of April 25 for interested candidates to apply for the position of head coach and interviews of shortlisted candidates are expected in the first week of May. At the same time, Pakistani stalwarts Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja, who are on the committee that will approve the new coach, are also in touch with prospective candidates such as Australians Tom Moody and Dean Jones. 

“It makes no sense, the PCB has ample time to appoint a long term coach so why talk about an interim coach,” former captain Muhammad Yousuf told PTI. “The board must now take its time and make the right choice as Pakistan cricket can’t afford any more setbacks,” he said. But, an official in the board clarified that Shahryar Khan’s statement had been misunderstood. “What he meant was that if the process of appointing the new coach was not completed until the training camp began in May in Abbotabad, an interim appointment can be made to oversee the camp training. But, it is decided that the new coach will be with the team in England,”