PCB likely to hire Azhar Mahmood as bowling coach

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to hire the services of former all rounder Azhar Mahmood as the bowling coach of the national team prior to the Test series against West Indies beginning October 13.

Azhar who had played 21 Tests and 141 ODIs for Pakistan has also coached the national team in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 held earlier this year.

He had also assisted the national team in the limited over series in England after which his contract ended.

Talking to APP the PCB official said earlier Pakistan team head coach Mickey Arthur had recommended some other foreigner coaches name for the job of the bowling coach but talks with them didn’t work out due to financial and availability issues.

He said therefore the PCB decided to rope in Azhar for the job as he had already worked with the national team.

“Azhar is in talks with the board to finalize the contract and job details,” he said.

He said if the deal is settled then Azhar will likely take on the job before the start of the Pakistan, West Indies Test series.

It may be mentioned that Pakistan whitewashed West Indies in the three match T20 series.

Pakistan beat West Indies by eight wickets in the Third T20 while in the first and second T20 Pakistan defeated West Indies by nine wickets and 16 runs respectively.

Pakistan will play the ODI series against West Indies from September 30 while the Test series will begin from October 13.