Anwar likely to get a key position with Pakistan team

Karachi:

Former Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar is all likely to get a key position with the national cricket team after the left-handed opener on Wednesday held a discussion with the PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Butt met with Anwar and discussed how his services could be utilised by the national team.

"The PCB Chairman and Saeed (Anwar) will meet again in the coming week to discuss the plan in detail," the board said.

Butt, however, thanked Anwar for offering to assist the PCB and Pakistani players.

"I am thankful for Saeed's encouraging response and I am sure Saeed will be able to contribute a lot to Pakistan cricket," he said.

Anwar, a stylish left handed opener, has largely remained out of the limelight since his retirement in 2003 as he has devoted most of his time to religious activities.

However, sources close to Anwar said Butt had asked him about his availability to travel with the Pakistan team as batting coach or an assistant coach to which he had shown interest.

Anwar, who played 55 Tests and 247 one-day internationals, has made it clear that if the PCB sought his services he would be willing to devote his time to Pakistan cricket.

The PCB's move to rope in Anwar's services came after critics have pointed out that the national team needs a permanent batting coach considering the national coach, Intikhab Alam and assistant coach, Aaqib Javed are both primarily bowlers.