KARACHI  - In a major development, the PCB is likely to replace Mohsin Khan as coach with Australian Dav Whatmore after a strong feedback from players.
Well-informed sources close to the Pakistan team have confirmed that the PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, during his recent visit to Dubai, got the feedback of the national team players on the issue of changing the coach.
"Interestingly, majority of the players supported the board's decision to bring in Whatmore after the England series," one source disclosed. The PCB has come under pressure over the coaching issue after the Pakistan team swamped England 3-0 in the Test series and earlier also beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Though appointed as interim coach, Mohsin, after his successful track record had made it clear he was keen on continuing as head coach on a permanent basis, making it difficult for the PCB to take a final decision on replacing him with Whatmore.
"But the PCB has now got breathing space after the feedback from most of the players that Whatmore can work well with the national team," the source said. He said most of the players felt that Whatmore's presence and expertise would introduce a new level of professionalism in the national team and he was capable of extracting the best out of the talent available in the team. "Contrary to reports that some players were not happy over the PCB's move to replace Mohsin with Whatmore, apparently, it is the opposite as the current bunch of players also want to secure more victories for Pakistan and reach the top of the rankings and they feel with a professional coach at the helm of affairs, this can be done," the source added.
Whatmore, who visited Lahore last month for talks with PCB officials, is due to reach Lahore on February 20 to finalise a deal with the board which has so far been reluctant to announce him as the next coach of the national team. "It is a difficult situation for the board because of the success the team has enjoyed under Mohsin with the public opinion also going in favor of the former Test player. But the PCB is now feeling more comfortable with their decision to bring in Whatmore after getting the positive feedback from the players," the source said.
He said most of the players had told Ashraf that while Mohsin had done well with them, they wanted to work with a fully qualified and experienced coach. Another source added that in all likelihood, the PCB chairman will now offer Mohsin the chance to once again become chief selector, a position he left to take over as interim coach of the team.