April 21, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 03, 1428

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LAHORE, April 20: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has been given a two-week assignment by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to train up and coming fast bowlers in two phases.

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf told newsmen on Friday that Wasim offered his services to the PCB purely on voluntarily basis and would train the bowlers in two phases in Lahore — from May 15-30 and again in the month of June for which the dates have not been finalised.

"Wasim has been a world-class fast bowler and I believe his training will help the national team and other pacers," said the chairman.

When reminded of the reservations expressed by ICC over Wasim in view of Justice Qayyum’s match-fixing inquiry report, the chairman said cricket’s governing body had nothing to do with this assignment since it was a local activity.

Dr Nasim confirmed that Wasim rang him up from Singapore to make the offer and said he would not charge any money for the assignment.

The PCB chairman further said that efforts to finalise a new coach for the national team would commence from Saturday.

"Initially, we will shortlist some five or six coaches, not only from Pakistan but from abroad as well. There will be discussion on each name before finalisation of the candidate who will then be made an offer from PCB," he explained.

Denying a press report regarding PCB approaching New Zealand's John Wright as coach, Dr Nasim said no one from Pakistan has spoken to the former Kiwi opener for the assignment. The chairman also denied that Wright ever made any contact with the PCB.

He, however, said it was premature to rule out any name at this stage and added that “Javed Miandad could also be appointed as coach.”

"The PCB has set a particular criterion for the coach and anyone — from Pakistan or abroad — can fulfil it and bag the post. And I assure you that the best possible decision will be taken in this regard," he said.

Commenting on the appointment of Shoaib Malik as skipper, the PCB chief said that the all-rounder had earned the position and was the most suitable person for the job at the moment. "Let me tell you here that even the senior players call him ustad (teacher) for his many qualities as player," he said.

Asked to name the future vice-captain, Dr Nasim said: "All I can only tell you is that the next vice-captain will be a youngster but Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal are not in contention for the spot," he said.

The PCB chairman also denied a press report that Jamaican police had asked the board to send some Pakistani players back to the West Indies for further inquiry into the case of coach Bob Woolmer’s death.

"There have been a number of telephonic calls from Indian press on this issue but let me make it very clear that no contact has been made with us from anyone in Jamaica. In fact, I recently received some indication that Woolmer’s body is being released for burial in the next three days," he said.

He added that if Jamaican authorities asked for any of the players to be sent back, the Pakistan government will decide on the issue.