
KARACHI, AUG 11: Former Test batsman Wasim Raja was named coach of the troubled Pakistan cricket team today.
Raja, who played in 57 Tests for Pakistan, takes over a team that has three of its players, including captain Wasim Akram, suspended until they are cleared of match-fixing charges.
A statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB said Raja had been appointed on a 8220;long-term basis8221; but did not give a term or provide any other details.
Raja played in three World Cups in a 12-year career that started in the early 1970s and was a stylish left-handed batsman.
The PCB was suspended last month in the wake of Pakistan8217;s June loss in the World Cup final to Australia and is being run by an ad-hoc committee. Committee chief Mujeeber Rehman announced three weeks ago that Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad would not be selected until they are cleared of match-fixing allegations.