PCB could appoint Dean Jones as Pakistan head coach

According to a source in the board, Wasim Akram has talked up Jones’s credentials. The duo had worked together for the same franchise in the inaugural edition of the PSL in February.

“Wasim has conveyed to the board that Jones could be a good choice having worked with him with the Islamabad team and seen his temperament and skills,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI. “Basically the choice is down to former Australian all-rounder, Tom Moody and Jones but Moody is already committed to other assignments. The board has also reached a consensus on appointing former Test opener Mohsin Khan as team manager and former spinner Iqbal Qasim as chief selector.”

Following Pakistan’s dismal show in the Asia Cup T20 and World T20, Waqar Younis, the head coach, resigned, while Shahid Afridi relinquished his captaincy. Waqar and Intiqab Alam, the team manager, gave a scathing account of the grim affairs of the team and the skipper, as the team struggled in both the showpiece events. The national selection committee of Pakistan has also been dissolved.

After Waqar’s resignation, the PCB had invited candidates to apply for the position by April 25 following which, a committee comprising Akram and Ramiz Raja will help the board select the best man. But the source claimed that Akram and Ramiz had already indicated to the board that Jones would be an ideal choice.

Two former cricketers Mohsin and Qasim are also in the reckoning for key positions, the source said. “Mohsin is keen to work as coach and turned down the chief selector’s job for this but the board believes he would be ideal as manager while Qasim can be entrusted to do a good job as chief selector as he has already held this position before,” he said.