Bipin Dani - MUMBAI
Richard Halsall is ‘most likely’ to be the next fielding coach of the Pakistan team, it is learnt here. According to the sources in England and Pakistan, the 45-year-old Halsall's first assignment may be a two Test and three one-day series in Sri Lanka in July-August this year.
Zimbabwe-born medium-pace bowler and middle-order batsman Halsall has not played international cricket but has the experience of working as a first ever specialist fielding coach for England team in 2007. He was also assigned the role of an assistant coach in 2011. "Halsall applied for the post and his name was also recommended by Waqar Younis. The negotiations with him are already in final stage", the source said exclusively.
"Halsall has also a sports-science background and can work with the team as a trainer and in that case, the PCB may not hire the new trainer", the source further said. 
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may also hire another Zimbabwean as batting coach. "Grant Flower has applied for the post and he has fair chance to take over", another source added. Interestingly, few Pakistani players had applied for both the posts but the list doesn't have the name of former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. It was widely speculated in media that Inzi was one of the favourites to take over, but it is confirmed that the 45-year-old former batsman had not applied for the post. The coach finding committee is scheduled to meet on Monday and will finalise the list in this week.