Islamabad, Nov 7: The PCB is set to appoint former Pakistan Test cricketer Ijaz Ahmed as the new fielding coach of the national team ahead of the home series against India.

Ijaz, who is working as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) fielding coach, would be elevated as the national fielding coach well before the important series against India starting in January 2009, The News quoted a well placed PCB source as saying.

Earlier, Ijaz, who is also a member of the ad hoc selection committee, had expressed his desire to become fielding coach instead of selector. “He is expected to be named national fielding coach after the short series against West Indies in Abu Dhabi,” the source said.

Considered as the ‘Jonty Rhodes’ of Pakistan cricket, Ijaz was arguably the best fielder Pakistan has ever produced.

Intikhab Alam has already been appointed as the national coach with Aaqib Javed as his assistant. (ANI)