Waqar replaces Alam as Pakistan coach

A dismal tour of Australia and in-fighting within the team cost Intikhab Alam his job, as the Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday appointed former skipper and fast bowler Waqar Younis as the national coach, reports Bivabasu Kumar.

A dismal tour of Australia and in-fighting within the team cost Intikhab Alam his job, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday appointed former skipper and fast bowler Waqar Younis as the national coach.

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“Mr Waqar Younis has been appointed the national coach with immediate effect,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told HT. “He is in Australia at the moment and is expected to come down very soon. We hope to see some change in Pakistan cricket.”

Waqar, who was offered the Pakistan coach’s job a few days ago, had sought for some clarifications on his contract, including a guarantee that he would be with the team till the 2011 World Cup. Butt confirmed this.

“He (Waqar) will continue till the 2011 World Cup,” he said. “We are in no hurry to make changes if the team performs well. Hopefully, he will do well.”

Butt, however, refused to go into the reasons behind Alam’s removal.“Let’s keep that topic aside. We are trying to move forward,” he said, while stressing that Alam would be involved with the PCB.

“He (Intikhab Alam) is still with us,” said Butt. “He will be in charge of all cricket academies and coaching in Pakistan.”

Waqar will be assisted by former teammate Ijaz Ahmed, who has been confirmed as the batting and fielding consultant.

Ijaz recently coached Pakistan’s under-19 team to the final of the World Cup. “We may also appoint some international consultants, but that will be decided on tour-to-tour basis,” said Butt.