PCB to appoint national cricket team's fielding coach before England series: Sources

Karachi, Dec 26 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint a fielding coach, ahead of the Test and one day series against England in the United Arab Emirates.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the negotiations with the Australian fielding coach Julian Fountain were in the final stages, and he was expected to visit Lahore soon to sign his contract with the board.

"Financial issues were the main hurdle between Fountain and the board as he had demanded a monthly pay of between $10,000 to $15,000 but now that matter has been sorted out. He will come to Lahore soon to finalise things," the Daily Times quoted a source, as saying.

The PCB is hunting for new coaching staff for the national team after Waqar Younis resigned on personal and health grounds in September.

It has appointed Mohsin Khan as the interim cricket coach for the series against England.

The source said former Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore would likely take over as coach after the England series, but Fountain might be appointed before the series.

"Captain Misbahul Haq and Mohsin have both supported the idea of having a specialist fielding coach with the team before the England series and Fountain is the obvious choice," the source told the Daily Times.

The board had earlier confirmed that Whatmore would arrive in Lahore next month for a meeting to discuss terms for becoming the head cricket coach of the national cricket team.

The source said that Whatmore had informed the board that he would only be available for long- term appointment after his contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders expires in May 2012.

"This is one issue that the board is facing with Whatmore and second is that he is demanding around Rs. 2 million a month for his coaching assignment which the PCB feels is on the high side and want to negotiate with him on this," the source added.

The source also confirmed that the board would likely appoint former Pakistan cricketers, Sabih Azhar or Aaqib Javed as assistant coach. (ANI)