CricketViewer.com

Wasim Akram believes Pakistan urgently need a good coach but counts himself out of contention for the job.

“Pakistan really need a good coach urgently who can guide them in a professional manner,” Akram said after a visit of a training camp at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday where the former Pakistan captain is giving useful tips to the country’s leading fast bowlers.

Akram, however, ruled out a permanent coaching role for himself saying that he has lengthy international commitments as a sports commentator and cannot take up a full-time coaching assignment as a bowling coach.

Akram’s comments came just days after Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said that Pakistan do not need a full-time coach.

Pakistan are without a coach since the death of Bob Woolmer. The Englishman, who was Pakistan’s coach since 2004, was found dead in his hotel room in Kingston during the World Cup in March.

Pakistani manager Talat Ali, a former Test cricketer, is currently working as an interim coach and was at the helm of the team affairs in a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

Akram said that he is taking a keen interest in helping fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar make a successful comeback in international cricket. He has advised the injury-prone pacer to bowl with long run-ups but avoid pressure matches at the moment.

Shoaib, 31, has been out of international cricket since limping out of the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in January this year because of an injury. He was named in Asia’s squad for June’s three-match afro-Asia Cup series against South Africa earlier this month only to be dropped later due to suspect fitness.

Source:The News