LAHORE: Former Test wicket-keeper and chief selector Wasim Bari is most likely to replace Intikhab Alam as manager of the Pakistan cricket team for the West Indies series.

The series will begin at the neutral venue of the UAE on Sept 23.

Dawn has learnt from some highly reliable sources that the name of Bari was finalised on Thursday.

“The Board of Governors has already decided to sack Intikhab as manager from Sept 30 but as the series against the West Indies is going to begin on Sept 23, it has been decided to appoint Wasim Bari as manager,” the sources said.

Though another lobby in the PCB wanted to get Zaheer Abbas appointed as manager, Bari, who has been trying to work with the PCB for the last two years, finally succeeded in his efforts.

Bari, just like Intikhab, is not considered a strict man. He was bypassed by then captain Inzamam-ul-Haq when he was the chief selector on some selection matters.

Azhar may stay as captain for WI series

“Yes, Bari is known for his lenient approach but sometimes this attitude works to discipline some undisciplined players. Hopefully Bari will be a better choice,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, they further said PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who is in London and undergoing some medical tests, may not replace one-day captain Azhar Ali with Sarfraz Ahmed for time being.

Had the chairman been in Pakistan, he would have taken any decision about Azhar, whose 18-month-long captaincy record is not impressive as he has led Pak­istan in 25 One-day Internationals, winning nine and losing 15 with one match ending with no result.

“As head coach Mickey Arthur is not coming to Pakistan and the PCB chairman is away from the country, it is unlikely that any decision for changing the captain takes place before the West Indies series,” the sources concluded.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2016