KARACHI, April 14: Pakistan cricket authorities are looking to hire a specialist fielding coach ahead of the tour of England this summer.

“We have had initial discussions with a few people abroad and they have shown interest in this assignment,” said a PCB official on Friday.

Former South African player Jonty Rhodes was among those the board was looking at for the position, he said.

“We have to decide on the time period when we want the fielding coach and then confirm dates to those we have spoken too,” the official added.

While Pakistan enjoyed considerable success in Tests and One-day Internationals in the last year, including successive Test series wins over England, India and Sri Lanka, the board is concerned about general fielding standards.

Pakistan has been coached by former England player Bob Woolmer since June 2004 and recently former Test captain Waqar Younis joined as a bowling coach.

The official said the board had placed major emphasis on improving fielding ahead of the England tour and with an eye on next year's World Cup.

Pakistan will play four Tests and five One-day Internationals on the tour of England starting from June 29.

He said that Woolmer was being consulted about the appointment of a fielding coach.—Reuters