Rhodes's appointment part of a larger scheme - Shaharyar

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has defended the proposed appointment of Jonty Rhodes as a short-term fielding coach, arguing that the his role is part of a broader change the PCB is trying to bring about.

The idea of appointing Rhodes for only two weeks has led a number of people to question the value behind such a short appointment. In the past, Pakistan has hired Geoffrey Boycott and Greg Chappell on a similarly short-term contract with little ostensible benefit. Imran Khan, among others, launched a scathing and broad-based attack at a number of PCB and team management decisions, one of which was the decision to pursue Rhodes.

Imran had told reporters, "The Pakistan cricket team has a bowling coach. Now they have a fielding coach and the skipper himself is a batsman. I don't understand what will Bob Woolmer do. Fielding cannot be improved by appointing coaches. The PCB has to understand that Australia and South Africa are good fielding sides because their players play [domestic cricket] on good grounds and in near perfect structure."

But Shaharyar told Cricinfo that Rhodes was not being brought to Pakistan to immediately improve Pakistan's fielders. "Obviously we do not expect our fielders to become like Jonty, as some ex-players have thought. But we want our national team, our academy and younger players to have exposure to his thinking. Above all, we are hoping that he will be able to give seminars to some of our coaches so that they can also utilise his experience and skills in their training.

"We know standards will not improve overnight but we want to instill into the team, into the academy, into the cricketing structure of the country, the importance of fielding as a discipline. This process can begin by bringing Jonty Rhodes to Pakistan. If it goes well then we can think about bringing him back again six months down the line."

Rhodes meanwhile, contrary to reports that suggested the deal has been finalised, has told Cricinfo that he is awaiting the South African board's approval before he agrees to the appointment. "I was approached by Bob Woolmer last week, asking if I would be available to come and spend a week with the national team prior to their departure to England in June, and then stay on for another week to spend time with the A and U-19 teams. I have spoken to the United Cricket Board of SA, and am meeting Gerald Majola and Vince van der Bijl, CEO of professional cricket, next week to ensure they have no problem with this."

This decision is expected by the end of this week or the start of the next. In case Rhodes cannot make it then some replacements, revealed Shaharyar, had been lined up, though none have, as of yet, been approached. "We have talked about a few names in case Jonty cannot make it, including Mike Young and Trevor Penney. But no approaches have been made - these are just names that cropped up in discussions." Both Shaharyar and Saleem Altaf, director cricket operations, PCB, confirmed that Woolmer will be in touch with Rhodes in the next day or so to get his final decision.