The Pakistan men’s cricket team has appointed former cricketers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as fast bowling coach and spin bowling instructor, respectively. The pair will report to the locker room for their inaugural assignments: the Test and Twenty20 International series against Australia and New Zealand, scheduled for January 14-21, 2024 and December 14, 2023, respectively.
Prior to this year, Gul oversaw the bowling for the Pakistan Men’s Team during the three-match Twenty20 International series at home against Afghanistan and the succeeding series against New Zealand. Furthermore, he served as the bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators during the previous PSL season and for Afghanistan during the 2022 ICC Men’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Gul represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 130 ODIs, and 60 T20Is from 2003 to 2016, amassing 378 wickets for his country.
“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,” said Gul, upon accepting the new job offer. “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.”
Ajmal, the spin bowling coach for Pakistan, has amassed 447 wickets in 64 T20Is, 113 ODIs, and 35 Tests while representing the team. Among these achievements, he was ranked No. 1 in ODI bowling. With regard to coaching experience, he was the spin bowling mentor for Islamabad United, a PSL franchise.
“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,” said Ajmal. “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.”
