Pakistan Cricket Board appoints Mohammad Akram as bowling coach

By AM Khan

LAHORE (TheSportsNext) August 24, 2012: Former test cricketer Mohammad Akram on Friday was appointed bowling coach of Pakistan cricket team for a period of one year.

"Akram become the ultimate choice after Englishman Stuart Barnes expressed his inability to immediately join the team," said Intikhab Alam, Director Game Development and head of the committee to short list and finalise the names of candidates for the post of bowling coach.

 

He said the committee also comprising Zaheer Abbas and Col retd Naushad Ahmed short listed two candidates, Mohammad Akram and Steward after a thorough discussion and recommended the name of Akram.

Britain-based Mohammad Akram is presently working as a bowling coach with University of Loughborough London and brings with him rich experience as a bowling coach, he asserted.

Mohammad Akram represented the country in nine test matches from 1995 to 2001 and took 17 wickets before migrating to England to earn a better livelihood as he failed to cement his permanent place in the national team with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis enjoying their prime.

Intikhab said Akram would be joining the team in a few days in UAE to give useful tips to the Pakistani bowlers to improve their bowling to benefit the team against Australia during three one day international and similar number of T-20 matches.

Intikhab said the Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board has approved the selection of Akram and his one year contract is renewable based on his performance as a bowling coach.

"He is a good choice and we believe he will be able to overcome the gray areas in the pace bowling by teaching the bowlers in right way," he said adding: “Akram will also be working in National Cricket Academy to impart training to U16, 19 and will also assist in talent hunt programmes at a time when the Pak team has a break in its international assignments."

"We fully want to utilize the skills and potential of Akram who has gained useful experience while working as a university bowling consultant and we firmly believe he will be an added advantage for our bowlers to make amends in their bowling," Intikhab concluded.