Karachi, May 21:  The Pakistan Cricket Board is keen on roping in legendary Vivian Richards as a 'Mentor' for the national team during the upcoming World T20 Cup scheduled in the Americas. Richards has worked as a mentor for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League since 2016 and as per PCB sources current chairman Mohsin Naqvi is keen on having a big name associated with the national team. Also with most of the Super Eights games in the Caribbean, Richards' experience of conditions could come in handy. Babar Azam Meets Pakistan Head Coach Gary Kirsten Ahead of ENG vs PAK 1st T20I 2024 (Watch Video).

“Sir Viv Richards has some prior media commitments for the World Cup but things are being worked out as the Pakistani players have great respect and regard for him,” the source said.

He said if the deal goes through Richards will mentor the team in the World Cup a role fulfilled by former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 where Pakistan reached the semi-final and final. MS Dhoni Likely to Visit London For Muscle Tear Treatment; Will Decide Future Course Post-Recovery: Report.

A PCB source also informed that PCB Chairman Naqvi had also given orders for the appointment of a foreign chief curator and Australian curator Tony Hemmings is seen as a strong candidate for the position. Hemmings is presently employed with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), where he started in July of last year under a two-year contract.

“He applied for the Chief Curator position with the PCB and is ready to come to Pakistan,” he said. Tony Hemmings has served as an International Cricket Soil Advisor and Consultant for the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) in Perth and also as the Head Curator at the ICC Cricket Academy and the Dubai International Stadium. Also Read | Cricket Australia Reveals Sale Dates for India and Pakistan Fan Zones for 2024-25 Season .

“The PCB Chairman has given priority to improving the behavior of pitches in the country before the start of the next domestic season so Hemmings has been short-listed,” he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)