After visa clearance, Alam to arrive this weekend

According to sources in Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Alam's visa was pending with the Government for necessary clearances. "He was scheduled to leave for India on September 1 and watch an inter-district tournament but could not leave due to the visa delay but now the deck is clear for him," they said.

Alam would replace outgoing Punjab coach Gurcharan Singh, who failed to impress in the Ranji Trophy season last year following which Alam was called back for the job. Alam, who had coached and managed the Pakistan team that lifted the 1992 World Cup, was coach of the Punjab team from 2004 to 2006 and guided Punjab into the final of the Ranji Trophy.

"It was a long wait and, perhaps too boring as I had to take up the coaching assignment in India and the delay was only due to visa problem," he said. "Inshah allah ab main JP Atray se pehle Punjab pahunch jaunga (by God's grace I would reach Punjab before JP Atray tournament commences," he informed. "I would leave by this weekend for India", he said.

It may be recalled that the Punjab Cricket Association had sent a letter of appointment to Alam requesting him to join by September 1 almost three months back. The Punjab Cricket Association had appointed former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam as its senior team coach amid reports that the PCB was also trying to appoint him as the national coach. However the PCA was successful to sign Alam for the top job in the state cricket, earlier this year.

PCA Secretary MP Pandove told The Indian Express that the delay would not weigh much on the team and also on its selection as there is an important tournament with big names of Indian Cricket still in the offing. "Alam is most likely to be here after the clearance of his visa and would watch the potential Punjab talent in action before the start of the Ranji season", he added.