LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test cricketers Mohsin Khan and Aaqib Javed have directly contacted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan to express their candidacy for the post of national team head coach.

In doing so, the duo have bypassed the two-member panel of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja appointed by the PCB to find the best man for the job.

They are now in the running to replace Waqar Younis who resigned earlier this month after Pakistan’s dismal performances in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.

Reliable sources have told Dawn that while former opener Mohsin has sent his CV, ex-pacer Aaqib has verbally communicated his desire to become head coach.

Mohsin had earlier stated he would not send his application to the panel, claiming both Wasim and Ramiz were his juniors while Aaqib was of the view that the duo had already made up their mind to hire a foreign coach.

Sources however claimed that Shaharyar convinced Mohsin and Aaqib to at least express their desire for the job and not leave it open to just foreign candidates.

They added that the PCB chief is upset over the current situation of Pakistan cricket and is not going to fully depend on the panel for the appointment of head coach.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016