Intikhab Alam likely to join Pakistan~~s NCA

Lahore:Punjab Ranji team coach and former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam is being tipped as the frontrunner for the post of Director of Pakistan's National Cricket Academy.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been in touch with Alam as a part of the process to reorganise the NCA here.

If Alam gets the nod of the PCB, he is likely to take up the job next month. Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar is the other contender with whom PCB had also held talks.

''The Board is hoping to have final talks with Alam to find out if he is the right candidate for the director's post.

Mudassar is also a candidate and has already held several discussions with the PCB Director Cricket Operations Saleem Altaf,'' The News reportedtoday quoting an unnamed source.

Alam enjoyed a rare success with the Punjab team when he coached them to the Ranji Trophy final in 2004 but this season even his presence could not prevent them from falling to the bottom of the table.

The former manager and coach of the Pakistan senior team also runs a cricket academy in Muridke near here.

PCB is due to appoint a director and six coaches for the NCA in a bid to reorganise the Academy.