Anwar rejects Pakistan selectors role

Saeed Anwar has backed his former Pakistan team-mate Waqar Younis, right, to become the new national team coach

Former opening batsman Saeed Anwar has turned down an offer to become Pakistan’s chairman of selectors.

The Pakistan Cricket Board offered Anwar the role after Iqbal Qasim resigned earlier this month following the team’s poor tour to Australia earlier this year when they were whitewashed in the Test and limited-overs series.

Anwar, whose joint record of the highest individual score in a one-day international was broken by Sachin Tendulkar earlier this week, was however, keen on a batting consultant role.

“I was offered the post of chairman of selectors, but I told the PCB chairman that I could not take up the job as I don’t think I would be able to do justice to the position,” Anwar said.

“But I have told him that I do want to help the Pakistan team and I can do this as a batting consultant.

“I am due to meet the PCB chairman (Ijaz Butt) next month and he will tell me in what way I can play a positive role with the Pakistan team.

“But I personally feel that to be successful in cricket a player needs to be mentally tough and should possess a big heart.”

The former left-hand batsman also backed former team-mate and fast bowling legend Waqar Younis for the role of coach.

“I think it would be a great move because Waqar is well respected and has impressive cricketing background and knowledge of modern day requirements,” he said.

Sydney-based Waqar has confirmed he is in talks with the PCB for the job, but the board is yet to make a final decision.