He would replace Javed Miandad, who stunningly resigned two weeks ago, just days before the squad left for England where the World Cup starts on May 14.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood told Reuters from Lahore: ``There is no decision yet, but we are considering this appointment, not particularly with reference to any name.''

Asked when the appointment would be made, Mahmood said: ``In the next 24 hours, I suppose.''

Local newspapers reported today that former Pakistan Test batsman Mushtaq Mohammad, who has been coach twice in the last four years, would replace Miandad, but Mahmood declined to comment on possible choices.

Mushtaq, the first Pakistani to score 25,000 runs in first-class cricket, has twice coached the national team. He was fired after three months in 1995 followinga home defeat to Sri Lanka. Reapppointed in 1996, he quit after 13 months over a pay dispute.

Talk of a new head coach comes less than a week after the PCB executive council accepted Miandad's resignation and said team captain Wasim Akram had been given sweeping powers on and off the field for the World Cup.

In addition to accepting Miandad's resignation, the executive board also said that England-born Richard Pybus would act as assistant coach to Akram, and that the controversial Sarfraz Nawaz had been dropped as bowling coach.

Miandad initially said he resigned due to "pressing family commitments", but last Sunday he confirmed media reports of disputes between him and several senior players.

Newspapers said Miandad accused the players of deliberately performing below par in a match against England in the recent Sharjah one-day tournament which Pakistan lost by 62 runs.

Mahmood has declined to comment on the disputes, saying they were an internal matter, but he did say today that Akram was beingconsulted on the new coach.

``We certainly consult the team management -- the team manager, the captain and others,'' he said.

Mahmood said he thought team morale was good despite the recent distractions, Pakistan having won the three-team Sharjah competition against England and India.

Mahmood said any fresh appointment would be as head coach, but did not say how that would change the roles of others.