The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former international players Omar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches for the men’s national team. While Gul has been appointed as the fast bowling coach, Ajmal will lead the spin unit.
Goal has been actively involved in coaching spells since his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2020 after taking part in 47 Tests (163 wickets at 34.06), 130 ODIs (179 at 29.34) and 60 T20Is (85 at 16.97) between 2003 and 2016. He was appointed as the Quetta Gladiators’ bowling coach for PSL 2021, and also had a stint as the Afghanistan national bowling coach in 2022.
The 41-year-old served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home earlier this year.
“I am delighted to join as the bowling coach of the Pakistani team and I feel honored to have been given the opportunity,” a press release quoted Gul as saying. “Given my previous work experience with the men’s team, I will bring my coaching experience with the aim of taking Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights.”
Ajmal, the former No. 1 ODI bowler, had a previous stint as bowling coach with Islamabad United and comes having represented Pakistan in 35 Tests (178 wickets at 28.10), 184 ODIs (184 wickets at 22.72) and 64 T20Is (85 wickets at 17.83 ). He took a break in his career in 2017 as he finished with a grand total of 447 international wickets.
He said: “I am pleased to contribute to the development of bowling talent within the Pakistani national team. I believe that my career and coaching experience will help enhance the team’s bowling arsenal.”
The duo’s role begins with Pakistan’s Test series against Australia scheduled from December 14 to January 7, followed by the T20I series against New Zealand from January 12 to 21 next year.
Pakistan has undertaken an overhaul of its backroom personnel since failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023. Former Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the new head of the senior men’s team, while Mohammad Hafeez has been appointed. He was appointed as the manager of the Pakistani men’s team. He will also serve as head coach of the team in Australia and New Zealand.
They will also go with new captains like Shan Masood in Tests and Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20Is after Babar Azam stepped down as captain after the World Cup.
