PCB formally offers Wasim Akram coaching job

By Asif Khan

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) August 9, 2012: Days after former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram showed interest in coaching young Pakistani fast bowlers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, formally offered the legendary left-arm fast bowler a short-term coaching job.

Wasim Akram, who has shown willingness to train young bowlers, is yet to accept the offer as he wants the PCB to look into his busy schedule and work out the time best suited to both parties.

Wasim Akram had said on Sunday on the sidelines of the Corporate Twenty20 Cup at Moin Khan Cricket Academy, "I am willing to coach because I would like to work with youngsters and train them. I have always said that I am available to work with young bowlers in Pakistan, but due to my busy schedule I can't do this full time. But whenever I am in Pakistan, I am available to coach and groom the youngsters. There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan, it only has to be scouted and groomed properly”.

Wasim Akram’s offer couldn’t come at a better time as the Pakistan Cricket Board was already looking for a bowling coach but till to date things haven’t worked out ideally between the two parties. A PCB spokesman said the other day, “PCB is always very keen to utilise his services and this is a positive gesture by him. The Board has established a contact with him but nothing has been worked out due to his availability. Though he has assured to find a window from his busy schedule in near future”.

Wasim Akram’s upcoming assignments include doing commentary during the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup in Australia and then coaching the Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2012 Champions League T20 Cricket Tournament in South Africa.