Intikhab Alam named Pakistan coach

“I had a meeting with the new chief and he wanted me to take over the team. But I am not sure if it is a long-term appointment,” Alam told Reuters by telephone from Lahore.

PCB secretary Shafqat Rana said: “Intikhab has been appointed only for the Australian tour. His future will be decided once he returns from Down Under.”

Rana added that Alam was an International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee “and before his contract is extended, we will see if he has no assignments from the ICC”.

The PCB did not announce a manager forthe team but cricket sources said Yawar Saeed was likely to be replaced by a serving army brigadier.

After Pakistan return from Australia, they will host Sri Lanka for three Tests and then leave for the West Indies for three Tests and a triangular one-day series.

Alam, 54, is the fifth coach this year after Javed Miandad, Mushtaq Mohammad, Wasim Raja and Richard Pybus.

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was delighted with Alam’s appointment. “I have worked with him and I know he is one of the most suitable persons for this job.”