Waqar in strong chance to return as Pakistan coach: Sources

Karachi: The chances of former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis returning to coach the national side for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup have brightened as he is planning to settle down in Dubai, according to sources.

A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said that the coaching committee formed by the chairman to evaluate and recommend a head coach for the Pakistan team next month had already contacted Waqar and told him to apply for the top job. "Waqar had left the coaching position with the Pakistan team in 2011 because his family was settled in Australia and he was facing problems giving them time," the source said. "But now he has indicated to the board that he plans to settle down with his family in Dubai and this means it will be easier for him to manage his professional and personal lives," the source added. The former fast bowler was Pakistan head coach in 2010 and 2011 during the tenure of Ijaz Butt as PCB chairman. It was reported then that Waqar left the job because of differences with the Board over matters concerning the authority of the coach in the team. "This time, Waqar has spelt out very clearly some of his pre-conditions to apply for the position. He is a frontrunner because many of the present team members played under him as coach and respect him immensely," the source said. He said as far as the positions of batting and fielding coach were concerned, they would also most likely go to home candidates. Former Test batsman Basit Ali is said to be a strong candidate for the batting coach`s job. The PCB has set February 6 as the final date for candidates to apply for the coaching positions. The position of head coach has fallen vacant after Australian Dav Whatmore decided not to renew his two-year contract. He, however, has expressed his desire to return to some position in Pakistan cricket. "Whatmore is most likely to be given a new assignment at the National Cricket Academy," the source said.