Recommendations for Pakistan coach finalised

The PCB has said it has finalised its recommendations for three coaching positions for the national team; Mohsin Khan, the current interim coach, is among the 30 applicants.

The PCB committee in charge of selecting the coaches met in Lahore on Wednesday and is expected to report back to the board chairman over the next two days with its recommendations. Dav Whatmore is a strong contender for the position of head coach, who will also play a dual role as batting coach, while Aaqib Javed, appointed bowling coach for the series against England, is likely to take over the role on a long-term basis, though the PCB did not reveal any names.

"It's a huge responsibility on our shoulders," the head of the committee, Intikhab Alam, said at a press conference at the National Cricket Academy. "We received a lot of applications, both from foreign and local candidates and we had a thorough discussion on each of them and today we have finalised our recommendations."

"We have kept under consideration all the points that the chairman had mentioned and according to our recommendations the head coach will be a batting coach and there will be a bowling coach and a fielding coach. But I can't reveal you the names and a final decision will be made by the chairman." Alam was accompanied by two committee members, Zaheer Abbas and Col. Naushad Ali.

The appointment of a full-time head coach will fill a slot that's been lying vacant for six months. Waqar Younis, the previous full-time head coach, had stepped down on health grounds, and Mohsin was named interim coach. Ijaz Ahmed is the current fielding coach and could be in contention with Julian Fountain for the role, while Aaqib has returned to supervise the bowling department. The full-time appointments will also be part of a three-man coaching panel.

Whatmore, who's coached Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the past, resigned as coach of Kolkata Knight Riders and has been invited to meet with the PCB this month.

"I can't tell you the names," Alam said. "I have heard lots of strange things about the coaching options."

Mohsin, currently in charge of the team, was the former chief selector of the PCB and said he would like to retain a coaching position. "My services are always available to the PCB in whichever capacity the PCB wants it because whatever I am today, it's because of Pakistan," he said. "I have no ego problems whatever decision the PCB makes but I have already submitted an application for the coaching assignment."