LAHORE: With the April 25 deadline for submission of applications for the post of national team’s head coach approaching fast, no Pakistani has so far applied for the said post while six foreign coaches have shown interest in taking up the job.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) still hopes that a candidate from within the country, including former Test bowler Aaqib Javed, would apply for the post of head coach.

On the other hand, some big names from Australia such as Dean Jones, Tom Moody, Stuart Law and Jamie Siddons have shown interest in the job while one South African Mickey Arthur has also applied for the said post.

The post fell vacant after Waqar Younis resigned in the wake of Pakistan’s recent defeats in the Asia Cup T20 and World T20.

Earlier, Aaqib was seen as the main contender for the job but after the PCB announced a two-member panel comprising Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja to find out a suitable head coach, Aaqib withdrew his nomination, alleging that the committee had already decided to bring in a foreign coach.

Former Test opener Mohsin Khan, who had successfully coached Pakistan in the tenure of Ijaz Butt, was also interested in the job of head coach and turned down the PCB offer for the post of chief selector.

However, he did not apply for the post, saying he can’t do so to the committee since both Wasim and Ramiz are his juniors.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2016