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The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) penchant for hiring foreigners took another twist when it re-engaged English-born South Africa-based Richard Pybus as national team's coach for the tour of England.

"Pybus will join the team in England on Wednesday. And though his initial assignment is for the England tour. It is extendable, if mutually agreed," director of the PCB Munawwar Rana said.

The 40-year-old Pybus, who replaces former captain Javed Miandad, last served as Pakistan coach in 1999. But was sacked after a brief tenure in the wake of team's 3-0 away whitewash by Australia.

The appointment of Pybus completes the overhauling of the Pakistan cricket by imported "white officials" that has brought Australian Daryl Foster as bowling coach-cum-consultant, Englishmen Dale Naylor as physio, Andy Atkinson as curator, Geoffrey Boycott as batting coach and South African-Englishman-Australian Tony Greig as cricket consultant.

One factor that emerged from the appointments of six imported foreigners to manage Pakistan cricket is that the present PCB set up has no faith in the ability of our own former cricketers, which is a sad state of affairs.

Rana said the decision was reached Monday evening."We have got a very positive and encouraging feed back about Pybus from the players who toured with him to Australia in 1999," Rana said.

Pybus, who also worked with South African side Border, was initially appointed as trainer during the 1999 World Cup with former captain Mushtaq Mohammad as coach.

He was elevated as assistant coach to Wasim Raja on the subsequent tour to Toronto (Canada) for the three-match series against the West Indies before being appointed as full-time coach on the Australian tour.

"The appointment of Pybus is a perfect choice. We (players) know Pybusa and it should not be a problem to start from square one," skipper Waqar Younis said.

"The players liked him and his style of working. But unfortunately, he couldn't carry on after the Australian tour. But I am confident that he is coming for a longer period this time," Younis said.

PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia didn't hide his displeasure over the way Pybus was dismissed in 1999. "I think it was quite insulting for someone as reputed and respectable as Pybus. But it is all history and we both are looking forward to good times ahead," Zia said.

Pybus was sacked two days after the team returned from the tour to Australia, which was also Wasim Akram's last tour as captain. Pybus was not allowed to submit his tour report while the then chairman of the PCB Zafar Altaf didn't bother to have a meeting with him.

PCB did not disclose the amount Pybus will be getting but all indications are that he will not come cheap as indicated by the PCB chief that Pybus "is asking too much".

The Pakistan team leaves Wednesday for England on a 54-day tour during which it will play two Tests and then appear in a tri-nation one-day series also involing England and world chmapions Australia.

© Dawn