Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said Tuesday that the board had selected a new head coach for the national team but refused to public the name. He was talking to media after conclusion of the PCB Board of Governors meeting, chaired by him, here at Gaddafi Stadium. “We have finalised the new head coach but I cannot tell you his name,” said Shaharyar. “He can be a local candidate or a foreigner. We will name the coach within two days after due consultation. Everyone has forwarded his opinion during the BoG meeting,” he added. The PCB placed the matter of hiring the head coach in front of the Board of Governors in the important meeting where they decided via a vote whether the board should hire a foreign or local coach. “The matter of selecting a head coach was put in front of the BoG members to take their opinion whether to hire a foreign coach or local one. We wanted to take everyone’s consent before making a decision on the subject. The PCB will also give weightage to what Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja suggested,” Shaharyar added.

Former head coach Waqar Younis stepped down from his post on April 4 after humiliations in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and World Twenty20 in India. Waqar’s contract with the PCB, which was to expire after the forthcoming tour to England, was extended from June 30, 2016 up to Sept 30 before the Asia Cup T20.

A string of pathetic performances by national team in New Zealand, Asia Cup T20 and World T20 triggered massive criticism against the PCB from all quarters concerned. The undesirable scenario put the survival of entire board management at stake. “I am resigning as the head coach of Pakistan cricket team,” said Waqar while addressing the media outside PCB headquarters. “I am stepping away with a heavy heart. I want to thank everyone with whom I have worked honestly for the last 19 months. I tried my best to help all the players become better versions of themselves,” he added.

The forming of new cricket committee comprising of cricketers and other matters was also discussed. Shaharyar also took the BoG members into confidence regarding the appointment of chief selector Inzamamul Haq and the recent measures he had taken. He also briefed the BoG the outcome of the report submitted by the inquiry committee related to the Asia Cup and
WT20 debacle.

PSL on its way to become a ‘Company’: It was also decided in the meeting to make the Pakistan Super League (PSL) a ‘Company.’ The suggestion was put forward for approval in the BoG meeting and was unanimously approved. On the occasion, the PSL’s post event briefing was also presented before the Board of Governors. Now further steps will be discussed and the PSL will become an independent company having its own separate staff and registered at the stock-exchange. In the previous general body meeting, the Pakistan Super League issue was verbally discussed.