CAB invites Imran, eyes Buchanan after World Cup

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) After Delhi roped in Sarfraz Nawaz for a stint with their Ranji team, Bengal went one step further and is in negotiation with Pakistan's World Cup winning captain Imran Khan besides its other ambitious plan to engage Australia's coach John Buchanan to guide the side next year.

Talking to UNI over phone, key Cricket Association of Bengal official and former BCCI Joint Secretary Gautam Dasgupta confirmed both the developments and said CAB was in touch with Imran even though the legendary Pakistani has not confirmed it yet.

''Yes, we are in touch with him but it has not been finalised yet. We have approached him to conduct a clinic in Kolkata sometimes in January. It maybe for a week or 8-10 days,'' Mr Dasgupta said.

''We want to benefit from Imran's huge experience and we are yet to decide on the participants. It maybe our Ranji team or the one day team. We will decide it once we get Imran's nod,'' he explained.

Earlier this month, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) sprang a surprise when it announced that former Pakistani pacer Sarfraz Nawaz, a master exponent of reverse swing, would work with the bowlers ahead of their Ranji Trophy campaign.

Sarfraz, who will conduct a week-long fast bowling clinic from Friday, is the second Pakistani to work with an Indian Ranji team.

Intikhab Alam became the first from his country to coach an Indian team when the former Pakistan captain joined Punjab last year.

Maharashtra also decided to keep the reins in foreign hands when they appointed Aussie Darren Holder last year.

Meanwhile, CAB is planning another surprise of sort by planning to engage Australian coach Buchanan after the Aussie coach's contract expires.

''We have not decided anything on Buchanan but yes, that is one of the ideas we are toying with. But it's just too premature to say anything right now and the entire thing is in its embryonic stage,'' he added.

According to information, CAB plans to engage Buchanan as soon as next year's World Cup is over. Incidentally, Buchanan's contract with Australia ends with the World Cup and Aussie himself has announced that he would sever his tie with the team after that.

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