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Former Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore was left as the main contender to coach troubled Pakistan on Thursday after his Australian compatriot Steve Rixon ruled himself out.

Pakistan are due to shortlist candidates later this week to replace Bob Woolmer, who died at the World Cup in Jamaica in March prompting a police investigation and controversy. Police this week announced that he died of natural causes, not murder.

Rixon, the former New Zealand coach, said from Sydney that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did contact him about the role but he had already made other plans.

“I am grateful that they did make contact but at this point in time I have decided to coach private schools in Australia and am not inclined to take an international assignment,” said Rixon, who has also been linked to Sri Lanka.

Whatmore was not immediately available for comment. Besides Rixon and Whatmore, Pakistan also targeted Englishmen Tim Boon and Martyn Moxon for the job.

Nasim on Wednesday defended his determination to hire a foreigner, saying that players like being coached someone from outside the country.

“We are looking for a young coach with computer knowledge. There is dissent between players and a local coach and a foreigner does not get involved in politics,” Nasim said.

Intikhab Alam, a former Pakistan captain and coach of the team which won the World Cup in 1992, disagreed. “Politics and infighting are due to weak management,” Intikhab said. “Look at what Woolmer did to Pakistan cricket and (Greg) Chappell did to Indian cricket. Total mess,” he expressed.

Meanwhile Pakistani batting legend Javed Miandad, who had three spells as coach ending in 2004, was also critical of the selection process.

“If computer know-how is all that matters, then (Microsoft chairman) Bill Gates should have been the best cricket coach in the world,” Miandad said.