Reverse sweep: Moin to don coaching gloves

PCB appoints former captain head coach; Shoaib fielding coach

KARACHI: Just a week after he lost his spot as national cricket team manager, world cup winning wicket keeper Moin Khan was appointed as head coach of the national team surpassing former head coaches Waqar Younus and Mohsin Khan. 

The decision was taken in the first meeting of Pakistan Cricket Boards’ Managing Committee headed by new chief Najam Sethi on Tuesday in Lahore.

Another former Test batsman, Shoaib Mohammad, has been appointed as the fielding coach of the national team.

The MC refrained from choosing the batting coach and announced to had responsibility to legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas, who is also the member of the recently-formed committee. Abbas has also been handed the charge of chief cricket consultant.

The decision by the dissolved governing body to retain Mohammad Akram as the bowling coach for two years has been confirmed, Zakir Khan was also retained as team manager.

The appointments have been made for the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20, the PCB announced after MC’s meeting.      

Moin’s change in fortunes

The 69 Test veteran, who also played 219 ODIs served as the manager in the tour of Zimbabwe and the home and away series against South Africa. His last assignment in the position was another home series in the UAE against Sri Lanka.

The coach-hunt committee including Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Intikhab Alam formed under Ashraf met Sunday and announced that as many as 25 coaches submitted their applications for the posts of head, batting and fielding coaches for Pakistan team. Moin along with Waqar and Mohsin had confirmed desire for the high profile job.

“It’s an honour for me,” said the elated former captain after being appointed as the head coach.

“I will do my best in mentoring team to ensure maximum victories for Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Shoaib said he was ready to serve the national team.

“Pakistan has given me everything and now it’s time to pay back,” the former player who represented the country in 45 Tests and 63 ODIs told The Express Tribune.

“I will give my best to bring improvement in fielding that is a vital department of the game,” added the 53-year old.

Younis welcomed Moin’s appointment hoping that his former teammate would coach the team to Asia Cup and World T20 titles.

Sohail shown the door

Aamir Sohail who was appointed chief selector by Ashraf’s regime has been shown the door without getting close to selecting even a single team.

Former cricketer Azhar Khan who has been part of the panel since the past few years has been named as the acting chief selector.

Subsequently, Mohammad Ilyas has also been removed as the chief selector for junior squads.

“They were not issued appointments letter hence their appointment was never confirmed,” said a PCB official.

In another major decision, Tafazzul Rizvi who was sacked by Ashraf as the PCB legal advisor was reinstated.