Intikhab faces uncertain future as coach

Karachi, Feb 24: Intikhab Alam faces an uncertain future as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) started hunt for a new coach. Intikhab was appointed to replace Richard Pybus for the second half of the Australian tour by the present cricket setup.

But while accepting the coaching responsibilities, Intikhab had to surrender his appointment as International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee. As situation stands at present, he is no more on the ICC panel and Pakistan is being represented by Col (retd) Naushad Ali only.

"The PCB will have to send my fresh nomination before the ICC inducts me in its panel of match referees," Intikhab confirmed. He said he had absolutely no idea if the PCB were searching for his replacement. "I was initially appointed for the one-day series in Australia but my assignment was extended for the home series.

"In both the situations, I didn't ask for the job nor demanded extension. I stand by that policy again," he said ahead of the three-Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka starting at Rawalpindi from Saturday.

PCB director, Yawar Saeed, said from Rawalpindi that so far Intikhab Alam was the coach of the team. He, however, said if he was released of his duties, the board will ensure that he gets his ICC posting. "He is our former captain and we are here to safeguard every Test players interest. I promise his nomination will be send to the ICC if he is not associated with the team. But at present, he is our team coach," Yawar said on telephone.

He emphatically denied foreign agency reports that the board had approached former England captain Geoffrey Boycott and former South African opener Barry Richards. "It's absolutely untrue. No one has been approached by the PCB," he said. He, however, admitted that the issue of coach was at the thinking level.

"While we are discussing several other issues, we are also deliberating on the coach because in the next four months, there is nothing but cricket and we have to be fully prepared." But he said no names have been finalized. He said several names were being considered.

"The names of Intikhab Alam, Javed Miandad, Mushtaq Mohammad are also there. So, I think its not right to single out Boycott and Richards as new likely coaches," he opined. When pressed further, Yawar Saeed said the board had got hold of Boycott's and Richard's telephone numbers. "But they have not been contacted," he repeated.