Pakistan is searching for a new coach after the sudden death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup.

"We have always been interested in Whatmore but he had not responded positively to our initial inquiries. After this new development we will make a fresh approach," a Pakistan Cricket Board official told PTI.

The PCB had advertised the post of national team coach and 13 people had applied for it by the deadline on May 15.

"The problem is that none of the people who have applied can be described as high-profile coaches. We have mostly young coaches operating at the lower level," a source said.

He said this was the reason why Pakistan was still keen on Whatmore who has excellent coaching credentials having led Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup and other notable victories.

In his four years with the Bangladesh team, Whatmore had also turned them into a team which can't be taken for granted.

Pakistan had earlier approached Whatmore but he had made it clear that he was more interested in a job in India.

But the Indian board said Whatmore was out of the race and they had shortlisted South African Graham Ford and England's John Emburey for the job.

The PCB has appointed a three-man selection committee to recommend a shortlist of three coaches to the ad-hoc committee which will discuss the potential candidates at its meeting on June 17.

Pakistan's next assignments are one-day matches against India, Scotland and possibly a World XI match in Scotland in early July and the board sources said the aim was to finalise a contract with a new coach sooner than later.