The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not ruled out using the services of selector and former left-arm pacer Saleem Jaffar as a makeshift bowling ‘adviser’ on the tour of Sri Lanka.
The coach-hunt committee, headed by Intikhab Alam, has been unable to appoint a bowling coach despite attracting applications from around the world. PCB chief Zaka Ashraf had told Express News that the applications received were not suitable for the role and the search will continue. However, a PCB official did confirm that while Ashraf was looking at the suggestion of a selector accompanying the national side on the tour, Jaffer, if sent, could be used if needed.
“It has been suggested to the chairman by the chief selector and Dav Whatmore that a selector should accompany the side,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The selector will help out the coach and captain on selecting the playing-eleven. While we’re not sure whether a selector will tour or not, we’ve proposed using Jaffar’s services on the field if he’s sent.”
The PCB appointed Mohsin Khan as Pakistan’s interim coach last year but for the duration that he was with the team, Mohammad Ilyas had taken up the chief selector’s role.
Jaffar, meanwhile, has ruled out an interest in the dual role.
“Being a selector and coach are two different things and my role is limited to the off-field duties,” said Jaffar. “I haven’t given this idea any thought but I’m against it. Even Mohsin had given up his selection duties when he was appointed interim coach.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ