Strict eligibility rules out former players

Karachi: Strict eligibility rules for hiring the new coaching panel of the national team by Pakistan Cricket Board has ruled out many former players interested in these positions, paving the way for foreign coaches to be considered for the vacant slots.

A senior official of the board confirmed to PTI that foreigners could also apply for the vacant slots which have now been advertised by the PCB. "Foreigners are also welcome to apply if they fulfill our criteria as we have no pre-conditions that no foreigners can be hired," Haroon Rasheed said. The PCB decided to advertise the coaching positions at its managing committee meeting this week after days of speculations as to whether former captain, Waqar Younis would be appointed head coach or Moin Khan would retain the position. Both the former stars were the top candidates and had applied for the head coach`s position when the PCB in January decided to advertise the position. The board than choose Moin over Waqar. But the board`s contract with Moin and former Test batsman, Zaheer Abbas, who was batting coach and fielding coach, Shoaib Muhammad ended after the World T20 in Bangladesh earlier this month. The PCB had given the trio only two-month contracts. Rasheed said that they could reapply for the positions. But the eligibility rules set forth by the board in its new advertisement clearly indicate that it is seriously looking at foreign candidates. The main criteria for interested candidates is that he should have a Level III Cricket Coaching Accreditation or international equivalent and at least.