Cricket: Pakistan appoint English coach

Pakistan have appointed Englishman Bob Woolmer as coach in place of Javed Miandad. He will take charge on July 2.

"He is one of the finest and most respected cricket coaches in the cricket world and we are hoping he will bring about a positive change in the performances of our team.

We are looking at him as a long-term investment," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khanhe said.

He added that Miandad had asked to be released from his two-year contract, which had 11 months to run.

Pakistan lost a home series against India in April, sparking much media criticism of Miandad and his players.

It was the third time that Miandad had been replaced as national coach since 1998.

Woolmer, who played test cricket for England and also coached South Africa, will be Pakistan's seventh coach in the last 10 years and their second from overseas.