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Pakistan are all set to retain Richard Pybus as coach of the national team for the forthcoming 2001-2002 international season, official sources said.

The England-born South Africa-based Pybus a last-minute appointment for the ongoing England tour which has been a mixed bag but certainly not an outstanding success. "Pybus is certain to get an extension because overall, his performance has been good," sources said, adding: "Since the entire Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hierarchy is in England, a meeting is expected sometime this week to finalize his future."

The sources said Pybus would also attend the meeting in which he was expected to put up his terms and conditions. "Naturally, his current contract is for the ongoing series. It will be a different proposition altogether if he gets an 11-month or six-month contract. "Certainly he will have many things to say and PCB all to negotiate. But it shouldn't be a tough decision as both the parties are mentally prepared to join hands for the forthcoming assignments."

The South Africa is being paid a seven-figure amount for the England series but is expected to get over Rs 10 million (including lodging, boarding, daily allowance etc) if he succeeds in landing the job. Pybus' present tenure has been a complete reversal of his 1999 term when his team lost all the three Tests in Australia. In England against a very moderate side, Pakistan lost at Lord's in three days before winning at Old Trafford to level the series. In the one-day series, Pakistan has reached the final after defeating England in three successive matches. Their only loss has been against Australia. "Besides the general uplift in the standard of cricket by the team, the boys are also happy and satisfied with the way Pybus has handled them.

"The PCB doesn't want to impose anyone on the players because it is a team game. Besides, the PCB also feels that the man incharge should be given enough time before his results are scrutinized." The only individual likely to oppose Pybus' extension is Javed Miandad in whose shoe the South African has stepped in. Miandad is said to be totally against the appointment of a foreigner and at the same time is also expecting to be reinstated as coach when the new season begins in September,2001.

© Dawn