Leggie Mushtaq Ahmed appointed Pakistan National Cricket Academy head

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board today appointed former Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as the new head coach of the National Cricket Academy.

Mushtaq, who was until recently the bowling coach of the national team, has been tasked with the responsibility of running the NCA affairs.

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters in Lahore that the Board wanted to make the NCA a separate entity so that total focus would be on cricket and players.

"We are also going to reorganize the cricket committee in the next week or so and we have decided to only have former Test players on the committee," Khan said. He said that the revamped cricket committee which is presently headed by a senior member of the Board of Governors,
Shakil Sheikh would be responsible for all cricket matters including domestic affairs.

Khan also said that the PCB has still not decided on the appointment of the new head coach of the Pakistan team.

"We have no made up our mind on whether we will have a foreign coach or a local coach. Our minds are open but we have already spoken to a few prospective foreign candidates some of whom have excused themselves because of prior commitments or because of security issues in Pakistan," Khan said.

"The new head coach will be finalized in a week or two," he added.

Khan also dismissed reports that the PCB has decided to appoint an interim coach for the tour to England. "No such decision has been taken. What we are looking at is a long term arrangement. But we have to see that the person we choose whether he can immediately join the team or needs some time. If he needs time, then for the time being we will have to make an interim appointment."