Azhar to serve as interim bowling coach

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday the appointment of former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the national team’s bowling coach for the Asia Cup and the World T20.

He was to join the team in Dhaka on Thursday.

According to the PCB, Mushtaq Ahmed, the regular bowling coach, was rested and was expected to resume his duties ahead of the England tour in June.

“Mushi has been rested for two events as he was too fatigued,” Pakistan’s team manager told ESPNcricinfo. “Mahmood is a good replacement for the interim, being a T20 specialist. He will join the squad later this evening.”

Mushtaq, 45, a former Pakistan leg-spinner, has been part of the Pakistan coaching staff and team management since 2014.

After ending his playing career, he transformed into a successful coach. He worked with England as a spin-bowling consultant, and when he was released in 2014 he started working with Pakistan.

Mahmood has not been involved in any international coaching, he has featured in minor coaching roles in private clubs in the UAE and England.

Azhar, 40, has played as many as 225 T20 games besides his 143 ODI and 21 Test appearances for Pakistan.

He has played in almost every T20 league around the world. The teams that he has played for include Auckland Aces, Kings XI Punjab, Barbados Trident, Dhaka Gladiators, Surrey and Barisal Burners.

The source also revealed that the PCB failed to reach an agreement with Vivian Richards, who had offered his services to join the Pakistan team as mentor.

The source said Richards wanted a remuneration that the board found unfeasible.

Richards was the mentor of Quetta Gladiators who were the runners-up in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League.

Quetta were not considered among the favourites when the tournament began, but they performed brilliantly and much of the credit for their performance was given to Richards.