by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
In a significant move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former cricketing stalwarts Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as the Fast Bowling and Spin Bowling Coaches, respectively, for the Pakistan Men’s Team. Both players were part of the victorious 2009 T20 World Cup and 2012 Asia Cup-winning squads.
Umar Gul, who previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan Men’s Team during the T20I series against Afghanistan and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home, takes on the role of Fast Bowling Coach. His tenure begins with the upcoming Test series against Australia (scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024) and the T20I series against New Zealand (from January 12 to January 21, 2024).
Saeed Ajmal, the former world no. 1 ODI bowler, assumes the position of Spin Bowling Coach. His illustrious international career, which began in 2008, saw him represent Pakistan in 35 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 64 T20Is, amassing a total of 447 wickets across formats. Ajmal has previously served as the spin bowling coach for the HBL PSL franchise Islamabad United.
Umar Gul expressed his pleasure in joining as the bowling coach and conveyed his honor at contributing to Pakistan cricket. Drawing from his prior coaching experience with the men’s side, Gul aims to elevate Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights.
Saeed Ajmal, in expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, emphasized his delight in contributing to the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. He believes that his extensive career and coaching experience will play a pivotal role in enhancing the team’s spin bowling arsenal.
