Miandad was first choice as coach

Intikhab Alam was only offered the job as Pakistan coach after Javed Miandad turned down an offer of a fourth stint in the position. Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, said Miandad had been Pakistan's first choice to replace Geoff Lawson, who was sacked as the coach on Friday.

"Intikhab was our second choice after we first went for Javd Miandad," Butt told Bigstarcricket.com. "But it was very good of Javed to tell us that he was not interested in the position and that he would rather help us in other ways in an advisory capacity.

"Intikhab will first take charge of the team in Abu Dhabi but I hope that he will remain in the post for two years but this needs to be cleared by the board first. I know that Intikhab has an excellent rapport with the players and I am keen for him to take Pakistan cricket back to where it belongs, and to give us the success we should be having."

Miandad most recently held the coaching role from 2003 to 2004, when he was eventually replaced by Bob Woolmer. He had also been coach in 1998-99 and 2000-01. Intikhab has also had a previous spell as the team's coach, from 1999 to 2000.