According to well-placed sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out the chances of roping in Jones to succeed Waqar Younis as Pakistan's new coach.

"It's out of the question," a reliable source told Arab News referring to the chances of Dean Jones getting hired as Pakistan's coach. "The Board is planning to contact a few coaches for the job but I can tell you that he (Jones) doesn't figure prominently on their list," he added.

The source rejected the impression that Jones was among the leading candidates for the job, revealing that a committee formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to find a suitable coach for the Pakistan team is not impressed by Jones' credentials.

"He (Jones) doesn't have much coaching experience and that's something which goes against him," said a source. "But that is not his only minus point. Jones is quite a controversial personality and the committee members believe that he won't be a good choice," added the source, who is privy to the discussions that have taken place between the committee members.

Pakistan's cricket chiefs installed a committee to find a new coach after Waqar Younis resigned from the post because of health reasons last month. The three-man committee is headed by Intikhab Alam, a former Test captain and coach who is currently serving as a senior PCB official. Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas and Col (retd) Naushad Ali are the other two members of the committee that is being assisted by Ramiz Raja, a former Pakistan captain.

Last week, Jones told an Australian newspaper that he has applied for the post of Pakistan coach. Jones believes that he has made the five-man short-list that has been prepared by the PCB committee. Former England all-rounder Dermot Reeve and ex-Pakistan Test pacer Aaqib Javed are also believed to be on the short-list.

"I believe I am in the last five," Jones was quoted as saying in The Age newspaper. "I have always wanted to coach and the opportunity came along so I put my hand up."

Jones, 50, made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2006 when he called South Africa's Hashim Amla a 'terrorist' on live television during the fourth day's play between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Colombo. His remark created quite an uproar, forcing his employers to sack him as an expert commentator.

It all happened when the bearded Amla, who is a devout Muslim, took the catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara. Jones was heard saying "the terrorist has got another wicket".

Jones, who played 52 Tests and 164 One-day Internationals for Australia, later apologized for his comment.