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Australia suffered a potentially significant blow to their chances of victory at Chester-le-Street when Shane Watson left the field injured on Sunday

Brydon Coverdale at Old Trafford11-Aug-2013Australia suffered a potentially significant blow to their chances of victory at Chester-le-Street when Shane Watson left the field injured on Sunday. Watson pulled up sore after the third ball of his seventh over of England’s second innings and walked off with pain in his right hip/groin area. Cricket Australia said he would be assessed on Sunday evening “to see how it settles”.In the immediate term, the injury hampers Australia’s hopes in this Test as, due to ICC regulations, Watson will not be able to have a runner when he bats in Australia’s chase. Watson scored 68 in the first innings and apart from the centurion Chris Rogers was the batsman who appeared to best handle the swinging and seaming conditions.In the longer term, it is a concern given Australia’s apparent desire to turn Watson into more of a bowling allrounder. He began the series opening the batting but a lack of runs at the top of the order, combined with his impressive economy and control at the bowling crease, encouraged the Australians to move him down to No. 6 for this game.Ryan Harris said: “It’s obviously not a good sign when anyone gets injured but I don’t know it’s as bad as first thought. When I left the rooms they were talking about him batting but they’ll assess it tonight and see how he pulls up in the morning. You never want anyone limping off, especially someone like Shane Watson who’s a pretty big player in your team.”Watson has bowled 80.3 overs in this Ashes campaign, easily the second most he has sent down in a Test series, after the 115.4 he delivered in India in 2008. Watson’s bowling has been a constant source of injury concerns throughout his career, to the point that he embarked on the tour of India earlier this year as a batsman only, in an attempt to avoid further problems. But his miserable batting form – he has not scored a Test hundred since 2010 – meant that Watson needed to be bowling for Australia to gain enough value from his inclusion in the side and he has played an important bowling role in England.Watson’s most recent bowling injury occurred during the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka at the MCG last year, when he hurt his left calf, the same muscle that caused him problems earlier in the season and ruled him out of the first two Tests against South Africa. He had also missed the whole of the previous Australian Test summer due to calf and hamstring injuries.His injury in Melbourne came after he sent down 47.4 overs in the previous match at Hobart, the most he had ever delivered in a Test, and his heavy workload and subsequent injury on this Ashes tour will again force Australia to consider how to use him in future.If Watson is ruled out of the next Test at The Oval, Australia will also need to consider whether to replace him with a bowler and move Brad Haddin up to No. 6, or with a batsman. James Faulkner, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Starc are the extra bowlers in Australia’s squad who could come into contention and each offers an all-round option as well.

Bangladesh Under-19 fought off an extraordinary final over by Ramesh Mendis to win the third one-dayer by one wicket against Sri Lanka Under-19 in Mirpur

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2013
Scorecard Bangladesh Under-19 fought off an extraordinary final over by Ramesh Mendis to win the third one-dayer by one wicket against Sri Lanka Under-19 in Mirpur. The offspinner Mendis took three wickets, but Mustafizur Rahman hit the final ball for four to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.After conceding one run off the first ball, Mendis removed Nehaduzzaman, Rifat Pradhan and Jubair Hossain in the space of four deliveries to give his side a great chance to win. But it was still not enough for the visitors.The chase for Bangladesh was going properly when Joyraz Sheik and captain Mosaddek Hossain put together a stand of 126 for the fourth wicket. Joyraz made 74 off 95 balls while Mosaddek missed a hundred by two runs.Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 277 for 8 through half-centuries by Sadeera Samarawickrama who made 83 off 101 balls and Sandun Weerakkody who scored 65 off 61 balls, while for the hosts, legspinner Jubair took 3 for 60.

Nottinghamshire maintained their 100% Yorkshire Bank 40 record as Alex Hales made 72 from 41 balls in a five-wicket D/L victory over Worcestershire

12-May-2013
ScorecardNottinghamshire maintained their 100% Yorkshire Bank 40 record as Alex Hales made 72 from 41 balls in a five-wicket victory over Worcestershire under the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-shortened match at New Road.A whirlwind innings by allrounder Gareth Andrew, who hit eight fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 62 from 34 balls, gave the home side what seemed to be a workable total of 132 for 5 in 16 overs. Nottinghamshire were then set a reduced target of 127 and despite losing Michael Lumb to a stunning catch by Thilan Samaraweera at short midwicket, they chalked up their third win in the competitionThe scenario was ideal for Hales to dip into his repertoire as a Twenty20 international player and he delivered exactly what Nottinghamshire wanted with eight fours and two sixes before he was caught at point off Moeen Ali.Riki Wessels (28) drove Brett D’Oliveira’s first two deliveries, both full tosses, into the seating at long-on before Jack Shantry claimed his second wicket. There was just a hint of pressure when Daryl Mitchell bowled Samit Patel in a nagging spell of medium-pace but Nottinghamshire had four balls to spare when Steven Mullaney pulled Andrew for the winning boundary.When the game got under way at 4pm, the conditions could not have been more miserable, with a few hundred spectators huddled round the ground as Worcestershire batted first on a cool, murky afternoon.Moeen got them off to a blistering start with 28 in four overs. The left-hander pulled two sixes while taking 22 off five balls from Andy Carter but then made a tame exit when hoisting the seamer’s next delivery to Ed Cowan at wide mid-on. This proved to be a catalyst for collapse as Jake Ball, a nephew of former England wicketkeeper Bruce French, and Patel shared four wickets as Worcestershire added only 13 runs in the next five overs.Patel underlined his value in this form of cricket with 2 for 8 in a three-over spell before rain took a further 75-minute chunk out of the match.On the resumption Worcestershire made the most of the remaining 30 balls, plundering 80 runs in all as Andrew roughed up Patel’s figures with 19 in an over and then took 24 off the last over from Steven Mullaney. Australian newcomer Michael Johnson chipped in 17 towards an unbroken partnership of 80 in 7.1 overs.

The PCB constitution has been amended to change the process of appointing the board’s chairman and alter the structure of its governing board

Umar Farooq25-Feb-2013Nomination committee and appointment of chairman

Clause 28: A nomination committee shall be formed at least three months to the expiry of tenure of the chairman or immediately upon the office of the chairman falling vacant for any reason whatsoever. The nomination committee may meet as many times as deemed necessary to considerate names of two or more individuals recommended by the Patron for the post of the chairman. The individual, in order to qualify for the recommendation for the office of chairman shall possess experience of management or administration.
Clause 29: The nomination committee, within one week from the date of receipt of nomination by the Patron, shall meet to discuss and evaluate the names of individuals for the office of chairman and unless unanimously rejected by it with reasons, recommend to the board of governors (BOG) one of the individual aforesaid for the post of chairman. In the event the nomination committee fails to take any decision in the said meeting, the name forwarded by Patron, at serial number one shall be deemed to have been recommended to the BOG. The chairman shall be appointed for a period of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
Clause 30: The BOG, unless it unanimously rejects the said nomination in a meeting to be held within one week of receipt of name from the nomination committee, shall formally endorse the appointment of the recommended nominee as the chairman. In the event the BOG fails to take decision in the said meeting, the nominee recommended by the nomination committee shall be deemed to be formally appointed.

The PCB constitution has been amended to change the process of appointing the board’s chairman and alter the structure of its governing board. The President of Pakistan, who is the patron of the PCB, still plays the central role in appointing the chairman and the incumbent Zaka Ashraf will hold office until the new constitution is implemented, which is likely to be before June 2013.According to the 22-page document, a copy of which was obtained by ESPNcricinfo, the President of Pakistan will recommend at least two chairman candidates to a four-member nomination committee, which will evaluate them and recommend one to the board of governors, which will have to endorse the appointment unanimously. The board chairman’s term has also been extended from three years to four.The four-member nomination committee will comprise two from the board of governors and two representatives appointed by the President of Pakistan. Previously, the President had the only say in appointing the chairman.The PCB has been criticised in the past because its constitution allowed the chairman near-dictatorial powers. The amended constitution maintains that status quo. The chairman can control and oversee income and expenditure in accordance with the budget approved by the board of governors.The composition of the board of governors was also restructured. The 14-member body will include five regional representativeselected on basis of rotation, five representatives of service organisations and departments, two non-voting former cricketers appointed on the recommendation of the chairman and two non-voting technocrats picked from a panel of threerecommended by the chairman in consultation with the President of Pakistan. The term of each member will be one year.The PCB is working to implement the new constitution in stages, to avoid any dysfunction in the system.In 2011, the ICC required that its member boards become autonomous and free of interference from governments by June 2013. Removal of government interference had also been one of the Woolf report recommendations approved by the ICC. The new constitution was produced as a result of the ICC directive and was approved on February 13, vetted by the Ministry of Law on the suggestion of the PCB and ICC feedback. However, in November 2012, ICC said it was reviewing its stance against government involvement in the administration of cricket.In Pakistan, the country’s President appoints the PCB chairman and must approve the appointment of the governing board members. The President also has the power to relieve the chairman of his post.The draft of the constitution was shared with the ICC before its finalisation and according to a PCB official most of the feedback from the ICC had been incorporated. “The ICC has worked closely with the PCB on this matter, including by reviewing the proposed constitutional provisions in respect of the appointment of the President and providing feedback to the PCB for further consideration by the Pakistan government,” an ICC spokesman told ESPNcricinfo.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on his players after the club's thumping 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

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Arteta in awe of Arsenal playersArsenal thrashed Newcastle 4-1Praised the team's off-the-ball movementsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners' convincing performance against the Magpies left Arteta in awe of his players as he wholeheartedly praised the team for their dominance against a formidable opponent. The manager also claimed that he was left impressed by his team's off-the-ball movements which were lacking in their defeat against FC Porto in the Champions League earlier in the week.

AdvertisementWHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, Arteta said, "I'm really happy with the performance against a Newcastle team who are really really good. The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game. They [Newcastle] have a lot of resources to create issues but we continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play.

"We are really happy, we have to continue to do the things that we are doing well. There are still things that we can do better and we are bringing big players back from injury so that is a big boost. Against Porto, we were ourselves with the ball but not without the ball. It was a big lesson and you learn a lot from those moments."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sven Botman's own goal handed the north London club the lead in the 18th minute before Kai Havertz doubled his team's lead in the first half. Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior then scored a goal each in the 65th and 69th minute to seal the crucial three points. Joe Willock then netted a consolation goal for Eddie Howe's side in the 84th minute.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The Gunners are set to face Sheffield United and Brentford in their next two Premier League matches before they take on FC Porto in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture on March 12.

The Trinidad & Tobago sports minister has said Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine, will play for T&T in the Champions League T20 instead of their IPL teams

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2012The Trinidad & Tobago sports minister has said that allrounders Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, and spinner Sunil Narine, will play for T&T in the Champions League T20 this October instead of their respective IPL teams, in contrast to previous seasons. However, their team affiliation at the tournament is likely to be debated further before being confirmed, with the franchises expected to fight for the three players.Pollard was part of Mumbai Indians’ winning squad in 2011, while Bravo played for Chennai Super Kings. Both franchises have qualified for the CLT20 again this year. Narine played for T&T last year, but has also made it through with Kolkata Knight Riders in his maiden IPL season, in which he was named player of the tournament.According to , Anil Roberts, the minister of sport, said an agreement had been reached with the three players to turn out for their national team and not their IPL franchise. CLT20 rules allow players to pick the team they wish to play for and in the past players had chosen their IPL franchises, which then compensated the players’ home teams.However, the Knight Riders team director, Joy Bhattacharjya said on Twitter that the franchise’s chief executive, Venky Mysore, had indicated Narine would play for his IPL franchise.Roberts said the players were close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding and following that the details of the individual contracts would be worked out. “All three players have said they want to play for Trinidad & Tobago. The government of Trinidad & Tobago have said they will match their fees, so that they will not lose anything.”We want the best team. Some of the Indian teams, the owners are obviously a bit upset because they would love to have Sunil Narine, Pollard and Bravo but I told them quite upfront that we are being professional, that we are not holding anything in secret. We are not going to wait until the last minute and then steal the players from under them.”Roberts also said he had spoken to the franchises to explain the government’s position. “I also explained to them, because some of them are quite upset … I said, ‘please for a moment, just picture Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Sachin Tendulkar or [Suresh] Raina deciding or contemplating to play for a club ahead of India. I don’t think that would even be a choice. I don’t think they would even be able to set foot in their land of their birth if ever they even consider disappointing their countrymen and their country by playing for club for money’.”So while they may be upset, I tell them I am very sorry they are upset, but the [T&T] population wants our best players, the government wants our best players. The players want to play for Trinidad & Tobago and they will play for Trinidad & Tobago.”T&T topped their qualifying group in part thanks to the performances of Narine and fellow spinner Samuel Badree, but narrowly failed to qualify for the semi-finals. T&T will play the qualifying tournament again this year.

ESPNcricinfo previews the only T20 international between Sri Lanka and India in Pallekele

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya06-Aug-2012Match factsTuesday, August 7
Start time 1900 (1330 GMT)After three losses in a row this trip, Sri Lanka have one final shot at consolation•AFPBig PictureThis solitary Twenty20 fixture at Pallekele, along with India’s two T20s against New Zealand later this month and the Sri Lanka Premier League, offers welcome preparations for teams and players ahead of the World T20 in Sri Lanka in September. This will be India’s last T20 before the final squad for the World T20 is announced (the deadline is August 18); some of Sri Lanka’s players will have the benefit of playing the SLPL before their squad is named.India have played just one Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka, in 2009, which they won. The teams have played T20s against each other on four occasions; their last game was more than two years ago. After three losses in a row this trip, Sri Lanka have one final shot at consolation. After a rainless ODI series, there was a steady shower on the eve of this game.The structure of the series has, however, raised question marks. According to the Future Tours Programme, this tour was meant to include three Tests and no ODIs. The teams then decided to play five ODIs and just one T20; the SLC said the teams wanted to focus on limited-overs cricket. Which begs the question: Why not play more T20 internationals instead of five ODIs, a month ahead of the World T20?Form guideIndia: LWLLL (completed games, most recent first)
Sri Lanka: LWLWWWatch out for…Manoj Tiwary: He seems to have done enough to have the clear edge over Rohit Sharma in India’s limited-overs plans, having made 21 and 65 in the two ODIs he’s played on this tour. He ran well between wickets, was especially strong through the leg side and scored at a healthy pace. He was below par in the IPL, averaging 26 and finishing as the fourth-highest run-getter for the Kolkata Knight Riders, but he hit the winning runs that sealed the title in a tight chase.Dinesh Chandimal: He had a disappointing ODI series with the bat, managing just 55 runs in five games when much was expected from him in the middle order. He was part of the World T20 squad in 2010; will he make the cut again?Team news Virender Sehwag missed the final ODI due to a glute problem and has returned to India. Zaheer Khan has also headed back, to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Ajinkya Rahane, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Manoj Tiwary, 5 Rohit Sharma, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Ashok Dinda, 11 Umesh Yadav.In place of the injured Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka have included seamer Shaminda Eranga in the T20 squad.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Lahiru Thirimanne, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Chamara Kapugedera, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachitra Senanayake, 10 Shaminda Eranga/ Nuwan Pradeep, 11 Lasith Malinga.Stats and trivia Mahela Jayawardene is 45 short of reaching 1000 runs in T20 internationals.
Among Test teams other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, India have played the least T20 internationals – 34. Pakistan have played 55, leading the list. Sri Lanka have played 40. Quotes”Basically whenever I think about all these things like, not playing, not getting an opportunity despite scoring a hundred I just analyze myself [and] as the days pass by you tend to improve mentally.”
“It is significant to identify some of the roles for some of the players. We did that against Pakistan as well. We had to try out different combinations in the two T20s. We will try and do the same here.”

Australia and West Indies have changed much since their last meeting. Now they may discover how worthwhile those changes have been

The Preview by Daniel Brettig in Bridgetown06-Apr-2012Match factsDarren Bravo’s Indian dominance has given way to scratchy form at home•AFPMarch April 7-11, Kensington Oval
Start time 1000 (1400 GMT)Big PictureWhen these sides last met, in Australia in 2009, they played out a series of drama, tension and bracing cricket – if the usual home hiding of an under-prepared opponent at the Gabba is taken out of the equation. At the centre of it all was Chris Gayle, then West Indies captain and the Man of the Series after a considered 165 in Adelaide was followed by the most blistering century in Perth. It is a neat summation of the changes wrought in both sides since that Gayle is no longer there, replaced as captain by the effervescent Darren Sammy, while Ricky Ponting has ceded his leadership to the extremely capable hands of Michael Clarke.Neither Australia or West Indies were destined for great things beyond their 2009 meeting, the hosts going on to be humbled during the next Ashes series, while the visitors spluttered through what has become a long-running cycle of defeats and political recriminations. Those results hastened the aforementioned changes in leadership, and also fostered new support staff and stronger cultures in each side. Australia’s performance has improved markedly since the day the Argus review into team performance was handed down, while under Sammy and the coach Ottis Gibson, West Indies are developing a side that may soon be capable of sustained presence.In Bridgetown they will stare each other down on a surface that will only have a modicum of the pace traditionally on offer. It will be a matter of whether Australia’s adjustment to foreign climes can provide enough of a window for a home side that has talent but is still developing the perseverance and consistency required to last five days. The top three batsmen on both sides will be sternly examined by sturdy bowling attacks: Ed Cowan, David Warner and Shane Watson seeking to establish themselves in much the same manner as Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards.Australian eyes are also on the world rankings, as a strong series victory here will push them closer to the top of the ICC table, having dipped as low as fifth following the Ashes. West Indies by contrast are chasing history, a first Test win over Australia in nine years, a first series win in 19. The consistency and professionalism sought by both sides will either gather strength and vitality at Kensington Oval, or be cowed by a sobering reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.Form guide(Most recent first)
West Indies DLLWD
Australia WWWWLIn the spotlightDarren Bravo’s velvety strokeplay made him the talk of India and much of world cricket late in 2011, derived as it was from the example of his batting forebear Brian Lara. However those innings receded into the distance during the ODI and Twenty20 series against Australia, in which Bravo did not pass 25 in six innings before being dropped for the final T20. Returning to regional cricket, he made only 13 and 7 for Trinidad & Tobago against Barbados, and looked scratchy in the nets at Bridgetown. Much of West Indies’ hope for the series rests on the ability of this young batsman to assert himself, and he must find the confidence within to do so against well-drilled opponents.Shane Watson begins the third phase of his Test career as a No. 3 batsman, having previously played in the middle order then found some success as an opener. Since he was cut down by hamstring and calf injuries at the outset of the home summer, Watson has been usurped at the top of the order by David Warner and Ed Cowan, leaving him to replace Shaun Marsh at one down following the West Australian’s dire India series. How Watson’s shrewd bowling fits back into a bowling attack that operated happily enough with only four practitioners at home will be a source of fascination, as will his contribution to the guidance and leadership of Clarke’s team.Team newsFidel Edwards and Kemar Roach are duelling for the final pace bowling spot in what is expected to be a four-man bowling attack. Roach made his name with fiery spells to Ricky Ponting in the two teams’ last series in Australia in 2009, while in 2008 Edwards claimed eight wickets for the match against Ponting’s team in Bridgetown. The recalled Narsingh Deonarine replaces an IPL-tied Marlon Samuels at No. 6.West Indies (possible) 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Kraigg Brathwaite, 3 Kirk Edwards, 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Narsingh Deonarine, 7 Carlton Baugh (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Ravi Rampaul, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Devendra Bishoo.A race between Ryan Harris and James Pattinson for the third pace bowler’s berth is the only major question for the Australian selectors on tour. Both bowled well in the warm-up against the WICB President’s XI, Pattinson having a little less cricket behind him following a buttock strain. Watson returns for his first Test since South Africa last November, while Matthew Wade will debut.Australia (possible) 1 Ed Cowan, 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 Ryan Harris/James Pattinson, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Nathan Lyon.Pitch and conditionsThere is little grass on the wicket unveiled for the first Test, and its appearance is similar to that used for the second Twenty20 match. Kensington pitches always offer the promise of some pace and bounce, but as it deteriorates there should be useful spin for Devendra Bishoo, Nathan Lyon and their part-time counterparts.Stats and trivia West Indies’ last Test victory over Australia was the record chase of 418 to beat Steve Waugh’s side in the fourth Test of the 2003 series in Antigua. Only three members of the Australia squad – Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey – have played Tests in the Caribbean before. West Indies have won four and Australia three of the 10 Tests the two teams have played at Kensington Oval, the last draw taking place in 1973.Quotes”In India, where teams don’t go there and win, we went out and played and dominated India in two out of three Test matches. Over the last 12 months the team has shown signs of improvement and they’ve been fighting. We’ve just got to continue that. We have a group that believes they don’t only compete but they could win games.”
“No doubt we can take some confidence out of beating India 4-0 in Australia. The expectation, particularly in Australia, is to win in your own backyard and it was really nice that we could do that during the summer. But the hardest part of playing international sport is beating teams away from home in conditions you’re not as used to … different environment, different temperature, different culture, completely different cricket wickets.”

Sri Lanka Women held their nerves to beat West Indies Women by one wicket with two balls to spare. With the win, Sri Lanka have squared the three match ODI series, with a match remaining

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2012
ScorecardShemaine Campbelle’s half-century helped lift West Indies to 197•WICBSri Lanka Women held their nerves to beat West Indies Women by one wicket with two balls to spare. With the win, Sri Lanka have squared the three match ODI series, with a match remaining. Chamani Seneviratna was the star of the match with a quick 36 during the chase, following her two wickets during West Indies’ innings.The chase was held together by Yasoda Mendis’ gritty half-century – she was part of partnerships of 33 for the second wicket, 39 for the third wicket and 32 for the fourth. But with ten runs required with two wickets remaining, it was left up to Seneviratna to make sure that she finished the game.West Indies had set a good foundation for their middle order as opener Juliana Nero, who scored 45, led the team to 67 for 1. But Sri Lanka’s bowlers picked up regular wickets to reduce West Indies to 114 for 5. A half-century by Shemaine Campbelle and her 61-run partnership with Merissa Aguilleira lifted West Indies to 197.

The PCB has advertised the job of Pakistan coach, and has set a 15-day deadline for applications

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2011The PCB has advertised the job of Pakistan coach, and has set a 15-day deadline for applications. The three-man committee appointed to select the next coach, comprising ex-Pakistan players Zaheer Abbas, Intikhab Alam and Naushad Ali, met for the first time on September 8 to decide on the criteria for choosing candidates for the role.Ramiz Raja, who had agreed to assist the committee, could not attend the meeting as he was in Zimbabwe, where he is a commentator for Pakistan’s ongoing one-day series.The committee said the job of Pakistan coach was open to candidates from both within and outside Pakistan. Alam, who coached and managed the national side before and is head of the committee, said PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had given them the freedom to choose whoever they wanted as candidates. “The PCB chairman briefed us prior to our meeting and has given us a free hand in the search for the national coach,” Alam said. “We definitely will be considering both local and foreign applicants. The advertisement goes up today and will give interested parties 15 days to apply for the role.”We will scrutinise and interview the candidates and then the PCB will announce the coach in light of our recommendations. Also, the committee can approach someone on their own if they want to.” Alam also said that all the details of the meeting had been emailed to Raja, and confirmed that none of the committee members could themselves apply for the job.The committee was appointed on August 29 following current coach Waqar Younis’ announcement that he would quit after the tour of Zimbabwe due to personal and health reasons. There have been divided opinions on whether Pakistan should go with a local or foreign coach, with Abbas and Raja favouring the former while Alam said the second option was also something Pakistan should consider. Aaqib Javed and Mudassar Nazar, who have both been involved with coaching in Pakistan for several years, were two names that emerged as possible candidates for the role of head coach.