Guwahati, Oct. 29: Tamil Nadu’s Abdul Jabbar is set to don the Assam Ranji coach’s mantle this season.

The appointment of the former Tamil Nadu batsman, arriving here tomorrow, was unanimously endorsed by Assam Cricket Association (ACA)’s governing body, which met here. Jabbar replaces Lalchand Rajput of Mumbai.

Besides having 20 years of first class cricket experience, Jabbar is also a level-II coach currently associated with his office team Chemplast. He was roped in after former international Ashok Malhotra last week declined ACA’s offer due to “pre-ssing family and professional commitments”. The Telegraph had reported that Jabbar was the front-runner for the post.

ACA sources said the association was in a fix over the coach’s appointment after Ranji selector Dhiraj Das, who was supposed to have taken over in case there was no suitable replacement for Rajput, last week, informed secretary Bikash Baruah that he would not be able to do justice to the twin responsibilities. Das’ name was endorsed by the ACA governing body at Silchar a few months back.

Jabbar’s arrival will coincide with the second two-day trial match starting at Nehru Stadium tomorrow. Last year’s skipper Sukhwinder Singh, based in Delhi, arrived today for the trials. Assam will play Gujarat in their first outing at home from November 15. However, the ACA was tightlipped over the venue of the match.

The fact that Nehru Stadium has been allotted to the Guwahati Sport Association for the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi trophy football tournament from November 19 has raised speculation about the venue of the first Ranji match. Though the name of the Tinsukia ground is floating in the air, it is unlikely to make the grade after the fall of 20 wickets on the first day of the Assam-Bihar Polly Umrigar match there today.