Talat Ali has been in the role on an interim basis since Bob Woolmer's death during the World Cup earlier this year, but with Richard Done, Dav Whatmore and Geoff Lawson all shortlisted for the post, a decision is expected shortly.

The PCB's Director of Communications Dr Ashan Hameed Malik told The News: "We have interviewed one of the shortlisted candidates and will interview the other two within the next couple of days.

"I think that a final decision on the new national coach should come in a week's time."

A three-man selection committee comprising Zakir Khan, PCB's Director of Cricket Operations, Mudassar Nazar, Director of the National Cricket Academy, and former Test cricketer Imtiaz Ahmed, have already spoken to Done, but Malik insists there is no clear favourite for the post.

He added: "The board is carrying out the interviews with an open mind and all three of them have an equal chance of getting an offer."

Whatmore and Lawson are expected to arrive in Pakistan in the coming days.

The new coach's first job will be to lead Pakistan in two ODI games against India and Scotland in early July.