KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to delay the hiring of a bowling coach for the national team.

The national team has been without a specialist bowling coach since February, when Aaqib Javed vacated the position following the UAE-based series against England. The board was expected to name a replacement after the Asia Cup. However, according to former Pakistan manager and head of the coach-hunting committee Intikhab Alam, the hiring will be completed after Pakistan's forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

"We don't want to rush the appointment for an important position as this – it has to be the right person,” Alam was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.

PCB hired former Australian cricketer Dav Whatmore as the team's head coach early March, while Julien Fountain was appointed fielding coach.

Alam said the board wants to ensure the bowling coach is also one who is best suited for the job.

“We have two very good coaches in place and we want to ensure that the bowling coach is also of a high calibre.”

Several former Test cricketers and coaches, including Mushtaq Ahmed, Mohammed Akram, Jalal-ud-din and Ian Pont have reportedly expressed interest in the job.