Former South Africa coach Bob Woolmer replaces Miandad, the board said.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told a news conference that the new coach would take charge on July 2.

"He is one of the finest and most respected coaches in the cricket world and we are hoping he will bring about a positive change in the performances of our team. We are looking at him as a long-term investment," he said.

Shaharyar added that Miandad had asked to be released from his two-year contract, which had 11 months to run.

"His contract has been terminated," Shahryar told the press conference.

"We offered him to serve as national cricket advisor but he has declined," the PCB chief said.

In April India capped their first tour across the border for 15 years with maiden 3-2 one-day and 2-1 Test series wins on Pakistani soil.

The Pakistan defeat sparked severe criticism over the team's management while players were accused of lacking discipline.

It was the third time that Miandad had been replaced as national coach since 1998.

Woolmer, who played Test cricket for England, will be Pakistan's seventh coach in the last 10 years and their second from overseas. Richard Pybus, another Englishman with South African connections, was sacked after the 2003 World Cup.

Miandad told Reuters that he had reached an agreement with the board a few days ago.

"I didn't know they were bringing in Woolmer. But I knew it was a foreign coach. I wish him the best of luck in his assignment which is going to be a tough one," Miandad said.

"I just hope that the team does better under Woolmer, who has got a very high profile reputation."

Shaharyar said Miandad would continue to serve as national cricket advisor.

Woolmer coached South Africa for five years up to the 1999 World Cup before taking over as the International Cricket Council's high performance director, helping to develop cricket outside the Test-playing nations.

"It was not easy to have a coach of Woolmer's status who is regarded as pioneer and highly respected but through negotiations we have asked him to take up the job until the World Cup 2007," Shaharyar said.