Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis in the race for the job of Pakistan coach
Newly formed selection panel under Moin Khan to meet in Karachi on Tuesday to pick the squad for Pakistan's upcoming international assignments. The side will form the nucleus of the World Cup 2015 to be played in Australia and New Zealand.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set a deadline of May 5 to see who are the interested candidates for the position of head coach, batting coach, fielding coach and spin consultant. (Captain should be liked by the team: Moin)
Former fast bowler Waqar Younis is a likely contender for the job of head coach but according to one official, the PCB would wait and see who all aplied for the different positions. There was also confirmation from the official that former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq had also applied for the role of head coach and spin consultant. (Shehzad tipped to be T20 skipper)
Pakistan have been without a regular coach once Dav Whatmore stepped down after the Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year. Former captain and current head of the selection committee, Moin Khan then took over coaching responsibilities for the Asia Cup and ICC World T20, but he was sacked soon after. (Hafeez quits as T20 skipper)
The newly formed national selection committee headed by Khan will meet in Karachi on Tuesday to start preparations for Pakistan's forthcoming international assignments, which will culminate with the World Cup in 2015.
"Our first task is to identify and shortlist around 30 to 35 players who will form the nucleus for our upcoming assignments including the 2015 World Cup," Moin said.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman said that initially the shortlisted players will have to attend a month-long training and conditioning camp in Lahore from May 6.
However senior players like Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan will miss the camp as they have been given permission by the PCB to play cricket in England.
Khan also said that with the tour to Sri Lanka due in July-August, the selectors have ample time and opportunity to identify players for all three formats of the game.
"Obviously the Tests this year against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand are important for us but we also have to start identifying players who can serve us best in the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand," he added.