PCB fails to get Viv Richards on board, in talks with Kumar Sangakkara

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has failed to rope in West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards as the mentor of the national team for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in India starting from March 8.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that the board is in talks with former Sri Lanka hero Kumar Sangakkara but nothing has been finalised yet.

"We are now considering the name of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara to work as mentor of the team but nothing is final as yet as we have to first see how much benefit our team can derive from his presence," Khan said.

Sangakkara played a pivotal role for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League and Khan said his they will decide soon on the prospect.

"He is under consideration for sure and we will decide soon what to do as I am going to Bangladesh for the Pakistan and India match on Saturday," he added.

The PCB chief also added that a lot would also depend on Sangakkara himself and his commitments and whether he was interested in the short-term assignment.

Viv Richards was mentor of the Quetta Gladiators team while Sangakkara played for the franchise.

Earlier in the day, PCB had confirmed that former all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood, had been appointed bowling coach of the team for the Asia Cup and World T20 as Mushtaq Ahmed was rested for the two series.  

(With PTI inputs)