Intikhab's contract to be decided by PCB governing body

KARACHI: Confusion reigns supreme in Pakistan Cricket Board with newly appointed coach Intikhab Alam claiming he has been offered a two-year contract while PCB chairman Ejaz Butt insists the decision is yet to be approved by the governing body.
However, Butt did confirm that Intikhab was appointed coach for the One-day series in Abu Dhabi, but his long-term contract will be taken up in the PCB governing body meeting next month.
Pakistan plays three ODIs and possibly two Tests in Abu Dhabi from November 12.
Intikhab, 66 and who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, has made it clear that he is keen to take up the two-year assignment but according to PCB sources he may have jumped the gun too soon.
"Intikhab may have made his own announcement about being offered a two-year contract but this matter has to be debated by the governing body first. His appointment is fine for an interim period for the Abu Dhabi series but a long term arrangement has to be seen because Pakistan cricket team really needs to be picked up," one governing body member said.
"Already some members of the governing body don't think he is off the age to be coaching an international team which is a very hectic job," the source added.
He said the feeling was developing among governing body members that Intikhab, who last coached Pakistan in 2000, would be more suited for the manager's position and the PCB should instead appoint a younger coach.
The name of Shoaib Mohammad, Waqar Younis and Mohsin Khan are doing the rounds.
Intikhab has said he would like to lay lot of stress on discipline as coach and would love to see suspended pacer Mohammad Asif back in the team for the home series against India early next year.
Asif is presently under suspension for failing a dope test during the Indian Premier League in June and his fate is likely to be decided around November 17.
Intikhab said he had taken up the assignment as a big challenge and he would not allow any player to be bigger than the game.
"Nobody is (player) bigger than the game and instilling discipline among the players will be my priority."
The PCB governing body meeting is due to be held immediately after Butt returns from a private visit abroad around November 2.