ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is to hold formal talks next month with Mohammad Yasin whom they intend to appoint as national coach.

Sqd. Ldr Sajid Waheed, secretary of the PSF said Thursday that Yasin, a one-time coach of former world champion Jansher Khan, is due to arrive in Pakistan on Dec 16 especially for this purpose.

Yasin has expressed his willingness to train the senior players after the PSF contacted him in England where he is currently based. “We have invited him over for negotiations and hope that things work out with him,” Sajid told Dawn.

The PSF is particularly keen on hiring Yasin after efforts to bring in either Faheem Gul or Jamshed Gul failed with both brothers demanding fat salaries in American dollars besides other perks to take up the Pakistan coaching job.

Their demands according to insiders were not acceptable to the federation which is apparently tight on cash and could not afford to pay hefty salaries.

Faheem, who coaches in Singapore had asked for a monthly package of US$3500 besides accommodation, insurance and transportation. Jamshed, presently coaching in Malaysia, on the other hand demanded $2000 each month with a 20 percent rise every year. Both had wanted five-year contracts.

With Faheem and Jamshed out of contention, the PSF is now hoping that Yasin could be the right man to help them through troubled waters at a time when there’s no Pakistan player among the world’s top ten.

If the PSF is able to seal a deal with Yasin, he would replace Aftab Javed under whom Pakistan have failed to achieve good grades. The federation plans to appoint Zarak Jahan Khan as the assistant coach with Yasin.

The PSF has already appointed Rehmat Khan, coach of the great Jahangir Khan, to train the junior players.