Pakistan appointed former paceman Mohammad Akram as their bowling coach on Friday on a one-year contract as they seek to build on a solid run in international cricket. The 37-year-old replaces another former fast bowler, Aaqib Javed, who left the job in March this year to take up a coaching assignment in the United Arab Emirates.
"We have appointed Akram as our bowling coach for a period of one -year after shortlisting two candidates," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director international cricket Intikhab Alam told media. Alam was one of three members of a coaching committee that was assigned to find a suitable candidate to replace Javed. England's Stuart Barnes was also among the candidates but was not available for the limited overs series against Australia, starting in United Arab Emirates from August 28.
"Akram will join the squad in the UAE for the series against Australia," Alam said. Akram played nine Tests and 23 One-day for Pakistan between 1995-2001 and also represented Northamptonshire, Essex, Sussex and Surrey on the English county circuit. Pakistan had appointed former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore as their head coach in March this year after Waqar Younis left the post in September last year.
Pakistan's 1-0 defeat away to Sri Lanka in July ended an unbeaten run of seven Test series stretching back to their infamous 2010 tour of England, which was marred by a spot-fixing scandal. The streak included a 3-0 Test whitewash of then world number one England earlier this year in the UAE.