Umar Gul
Umar Gul (Image Credit: Twitter)

Last Update on: November 21st, 2023 at 01:43 pm

Continuing their overhaul of the Pakistan team’s backroom staff, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Tuesday (November 21), appointed former bowlers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as the bowling coaches. The PCB has made a number of changes to the coaching staff after Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the recently concluded World Cup as well as the Asia Cup preceding it.

In the Asia Cup, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the finals after suffering crushing defeats at the hands of eventual winners India and Sri Lanka. It was followed by a poor campaign in the World Cup where they failed to advance ahead of the league stage under the captaincy of Babar Azam.

Pakistan began their campaign with two wins before four successive losses completely derailed their campaign. They did win two more games but failed to advance to the semifinals. The 1992 World Cup winners eventually finished in the fifth spot with just 4 wins from 9 games. After the tournament, Babar Azam stepped down as captain in all three formats.

PCB appoints Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches:

Umar Gul has been named as the fast-bowling coach of Pakistan while Saeed Ajmal will be the spin-bowling coach. Earlier this month, former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel resigned as the bowling coach of Pakistan after the dismal show in the World Cup. Both Gul and Ajmal were important members of the Pakistan team that won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and the Asia Cup in 2012.

Earlier this year, Gul had served as the bowling coach for Pakistan during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home. He has also plied his trade as the bowling coach of PSL outfit Quetta Gladiators and Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2022. On the other hand, Ajmal served as the spin bowling coach of PSL franchise Islamabad United.

“I am pleased to join as the bowling coach of Pakistan team and feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf. Having had previous working experience with the men’s side, I will bring my coaching expertise with the aim of elevating Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights,” said Gul.

“I am truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity provided by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf to serve as the spin bowling coach. I am delighted to contribute to the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. I believe my career and coaching experience will help enhance the spin bowling arsenal of the team,” said Ajmal.

Earlier, the PCB had appointed former captain Mohammad Hafeez as the Director of Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team. He replaced Mickey Arthur whose last assignment was the World Cup. As per reports, Hafeez is also likely to serve as the head coach of the team for the upcoming series against Australia.

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