PCB offers short-term coaching to Akram

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally offered Wasim Akram a short-term coaching role for young fast bowlers.

Akram, who hasn`t refused the offer, has however put forth his busy schedule as a hurdle, which the board will have to work around.

"I am willing to coach because I would like to work with youngsters and train them. 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," the Daily Times quoted Akram, as saying.

"There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan, it only has to be scouted and groomed properly," he said.

"PCB is always very keen to utilise his (Akram) services and this is a positive gesture by him," a PCB spokesman said.

"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," the spokesman added.

In the past Akram has turned down PCB`s offers to coach, citing his professional commitments and offered his services as a part-time bowling coach. He last worked with Pakistan bowlers five years back in 2007 in a coaching camp conducted at the National Cricket Academy.

Akram is presently in Australia as a commentator for the Under-19 World Cup and will be in South Africa during the Champions League with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

BDST: 1927 HRS, August 10, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor