Pakistan appoint Luden as fielding coach

Lahore: Pakistan on Friday appointed South African Grant Luden as the national cricket team`s new fielding coach, completing a recruitment drive with an eye on winning next year`s World Cup.

Luden quit as Bangladesh`s trainer earlier this month and has signed a two-year contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chairman Najam Sethi told media Luden would also fill the role of trainer with the Pakistan team. The PCB had tried to lure Zimbabwe born Richard Halsall to the position but negotiations were unsuccessful. Luden`s appointment is the latest in a number of hires the PCB has made ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Waqar Younis has been appointed as the team`s head coach and Grant Flower is in as batting coach. Both Flower and Luden will join the squad in time for Pakistan`s tour of Sri Lanka in August where they will play two Tests and three one-day internationals. Pakistan then host Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates between October 3 and December 19.