By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Karachi: After considering the names of high-profile international coaches like Greg Chappell and Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems to have settled for former Test pacer Waqar Younis as country’s new coach.
A board source told IANS that it has zeroed in on Waqar and is expected to finalise a contract with him in the next few days.
PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had a meeting with Waqar in Lahore last week and another one in Dubai a few days ago to discuss if the former Test captain is willing to take over from Intikhab Alam.
Waqar has confirmed that he was verbally offered the job, but he is waiting for a final word from the PCB.
Waqar, who was the bowling consultant on Pakistan’s disastrous tour of Australia, had ruled out any part-time role with the team and said he was only interested in a long-term contract.
Waqar also had a stint with the team in 2006-07, but it ended on a sour note as he was sacked without giving him a chance to defend himself.
PCB’s efforts to rope in a foreign coach failed to materialise as Chappell turned down the offer while Mickey Arthur, till recently South Africa’s coach, made it clear that he was not interested in any long-term assignment. Former England coach Peter Moores and Zimbabwean Dave Houghton were also short-listed but their names were not under serious consideration.