The esteemed members of the 2009 T20 World Cup and 2012 Asia Cup winning squad, along with former cricket stalwarts Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, have been named as the Fast Bowling and Spin Bowling Coaches, respectively, for the Pakistan Men’s Team. Their entry into these pivotal roles coincides with the upcoming challenges for the team, including the Test series against Australia from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024, and the T20I series against New Zealand scheduled from January 12 to 21, 2024.
Read more:Former Cricketer Set for Key Role in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Umar Gul brings substantial coaching experience, having previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan Men’s Team during the recent T20I series against Afghanistan and the subsequent home series against New Zealand. His coaching stints also encompassed mentoring Quetta Gladiators in the last HBL PSL season and guiding Afghanistan’s bowlers in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2022. Gul’s illustrious playing career saw him represent Pakistan in 47 Tests, claiming 163 wickets, 130 ODIs with 179 wickets, and 60 T20Is, capturing 85 wickets between 2003 and 2016.
Saeed Ajmal, a former world no. 1 ODI bowler, steps into the role of Spin Bowling Coach, bringing a wealth of expertise. With a career spanning 35 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 64 T20Is, Ajmal amassed an impressive tally of 447 wickets across formats. His coaching journey included a tenure as the spin bowling coach with the HBL PSL franchise Islamabad United.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Umar Gul remarked, “I am thrilled to join as the bowling coach of the Pakistan team and am deeply honored to contribute to Pakistan cricket under the guidance of Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr. Zaka Ashraf. Leveraging my prior experience with the men’s side, I am committed to leveraging my coaching acumen to enhance Pakistan’s bowling prowess.”
Similarly, Saeed Ajmal conveyed his gratitude, saying, “I am genuinely honored by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr. Zaka Ashraf’s confidence in appointing me as the spin bowling coach. I am excited to foster the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. I firmly believe that my playing career and coaching experience will significantly bolster the team’s spin bowling resources.
